By Reg Huston

Since 1981, Sal Ferrantelli’s I Cantori di Carmel has provided Monterey County with superlative choral concerts that have filled our lives with season after season of beautiful and exciting music. Twenty-seven years is a long time to do anything, really, and our thanks go out to you, Dr. Ferrentelli, and to all of your singers, instrumentalists and support staff for all of the richness you have given us. Sunday’s concert at the First United Methodist Church in Pacific Grove provided some fine moments. As Dr. Ferrantelli shook the hand of each of his singers as they entered the sanctuary to take their place on the risers, you had the feeling that you were a welcomed guest.

Ferrantelli scheduled a varied program in the first half that included works grouped from the Renaissance and Baroque, the Romantic and Contemporary and, then, three Spirituals. The second half was the Requiem in D minor by Anton Bruckner written when he was 25, according to the program notes. Because of the number of separate compositions, there will not be room here to comment on each offering. Rather, let me say the following:

The Renaissance and Baroque works (Lotti’s Adoramus Te, Weelkes’ Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Above, Gibbons’ The Silver Swan and Le Jeune’s Revecy Venir du Printemps) were performed with a lovely balance and sensitivity to the texts. Although diction, at times, could have been improved, the over all poignancy of the songs (especially The Silver Swan) was well presented.

The Romantic songs (Der Abend and numbers 1and 7 from the Zigeuner Lieder by Brahms, Die Nachtigall by Mendelssohn), the Contemporary pieces (William Zeitler’s The Song of Amergin and Rebekah Griffin Greene’s setting of Psalm 121) were performed very admirably. I Cantori really started to get into a groove with Der Abend. Their responsiveness to Dr. Ferrentelli’s sensitive phrasing was lovely. It was a treat to hear from William Zeitler again as he provided a very lively, rhythmic and spirited work accompanied by David Brewer on the bodhran (an Irish drum) and finger cymbals.  It was clear the ensemble really enjoyed performing this piece. Then, we heard from Rebekah Griffin Greene who grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and is another local talent who deserves our attention and support. Her Psalm 121 was often very moving. I, personally, would like to hear more of it – that is, I feel the musical ideas were worthy of expanding into a larger work. It ended too soon.

Back to David Brewer for a moment: as the ensemble readies itself for an Ireland and Wales tour, Mr. Brewer was asked to add some flavor to the evening’s selections and did so by providing a solo moment on the Irish Uilleann pipes.  Entitled “March of the King of Laoise,” Brewer showed a great flair and versatility on the instrument. He then went on to accompany the ensemble on Aoibhneas Eilis Ni Cheallaigh (a traditional Irish slip jig). Again, the ensemble had fun.

The first half ended with three spirituals, and who doesn’t like spirituals! We were treated to the incomparable Jester Hairston’s Dis Ol’ Hammer, plus Sometimes I Feel (arranged by Parker and Shaw, hard to beat) and Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord, (arranged by Moore). What can I say? A good time was had by all!

The second half was dedicated to the Bruckner Requiem in D minor with soloists Katherine Edison, soprano, Linda Purdy, mezzo soprano, Sean Boulware, tenor and Bob Bogardus, baritone. Although there is not a lot of singing for the soloists, all four handled themselves well and negotiated some rather difficult passages. The first half of the piece, frankly, left me unmoved, not because of I Cantori’s rendition, but because I didn’t feel Bruckner’s music underscored the text. I couldn’t follow it. It wasn’t until the Sanctus and subsequent movements through to the end of the work that the music actually reflected the text in a compelling way. This piece was written when Bruckner was twenty-five years old and before he had experienced the real musical influences in his life. Of course, he went on to compose some of the most glorious music ever conceived.

SOAPBOX: Sal Ferrentelli has been the heart and soul, the leader and fire behind I Cantori since its inception. Just keep your eyes on Sal when he conducts and you know exactly what to do. May he forever reign as the guiding light and inspiration for this treasured ensemble!

Reg Huston has been a concert soloist and has performed leading roles in opera and musical theater throughout the greater Monterey Peninsula for over thirty years.