The LSO, the Lawrence Combined choirs, the White Heron Chorale, and faculty soloists. (Alex Fairchild)
The Lawrence orchestra and choirs appeared together last weekend in two performances of “A Birthday Celebration,” recognizing the 100th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich and the 250th of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The orchestra opened with Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture” Op. 96. The piece is one of the Soviet composer’s most overtly jovial works, which gave an interesting lead into “The Execution of Stepan Razin” Op. 119, which included the LU Concert Choir and guest soloist Daniel Cilli. Professor of Russian Richard Yatzeck gave a brief background on the story and sociopolitical issues of Razin’s 17th-century rebellion against the czar. The second half of the concert featured Mozart’s “Requiem,” KV 626.
The performance included the LSO, the Lawrence choirs, the White Heron Chorale, and faculty performers Patrice Michaels, soprano; Karen Leigh-Post, mezzo-soprano; Steven Spears, tenor; and John Gates, bass.
Professor of Russian Richard Yatczek. (Alex Fairchild)
The LSO, the Lawrence Combined choirs, the White Heron Chorale, and faculty soloists. (Alex Fairchild)
Professor of Russian Richard Yatczek. (Alex Fairchild)