Reviews
Cherubini's Requiem Lite
John Pitcher April 11, 2000; Page C3, The Washington Post
| It's easy to forget that Luigi Cherubini composed his Requiem in D Minor for a funeral--his own. Cherubini, whose requiem was performed Sunday by the National Men's Chorus and Orchestra at Saint Luke's Catholic Church in McLean, was in essence a cookbook composer. His music moved by the rules and was defined by its correct melodies, predictable harmonies and corresponding lack of emotional intensity. So while Brahms and Verdi can tear your heart out with the pathos of their requiems, Cherubini's score seems incongruously good-natured and barely elicits a sigh. In fact, one can imagine a mourner at the composer's 1842 funeral thinking that there had better be refreshments after this. |
Still, based on the chorus's performance with conductor Thomas Beveridge, it's easy to see why so many people showed up at the composer's funeral. What Cherubini lacked in imagination he made up for in craft. Beveridge's reading revealed Cherubini's uncanny grasp of vocal shading--which enabled him to write with an extraordinary variety of color even without benefit of women's voices. For its part, the 42-member chorus gave a polished and occasionally effervescent performance. The ensemble opened with a worthy interpretation of Gounod's Mass for Male Voices and Organ. |