Craig,

Beethoven was wonderful last evening (even the phone event was so "Northern Utah"); I felt like I was watching over your left shoulder. Your directing made me sensitive to textures and nuisances of that music I've heard so many times--new again. It was spiritual music at its concert best--I wished I had been a performer: I longed for the intensity of the interaction while performing. I loved the magic of the music playing through you.

The soloists were excellent; I particularly liked the tenor (maybe because I've been one) and the choir was solid and sensitive. I sat next to the wife of one of the Illinois baritones; she was excited about Utah and Cache Valley and with the prospect of coming back again--yes and had much praise for you and your directing.

I had never noticed before, but intensely enjoyed the solo violin passages--again, the soloist was wonderful.

Predictably, the Dona Nobis Pacem took me back to camp (a good experience, by the way). We end our campfires with that old traditional three part (I first learned it in piano lessons) version. I had good singers this year--there at the end of the lake beneath the redwoods and the oaks, the last light of day in the western sky, the ocean (14 miles away--below) freshness in the air.

I prayed for mercy; I testified of the one God; I experienced the death and resurrection; my heart sang His praise; I experienced peace.


Thank you so very, very much,

L

08/09/2013

Author's Note: On a performance of Beethoven's Misse Solemnis in Logan, Utah 7 August 2013

Posted on 08/09/2013
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