Spencerville Evensong Concert Series

February 18, 2006: Washington Trombone Quartet

On February 18 the Evensong Concert Series continued with a delightful program by the Metropolis Trombones. This trombone quartet, formed from members of our nation’s military ensembles (some of the finest trombonists in the country) presented a concert of original works and transcriptions. The members of the Washington Trombone Quartet are Steve Dunkel, bass trombone, who plays for the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra; Barry Hearn, trombone, a member of the United States Army Band; Gus Mitchell, trombone, member of the United States Army Band; and Craigh Mulcahy, the Principal Trombonist for the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra. The trombone is a known and loved as a mellow, bass sounding member of the brass family. In the capable hands emburtures of the Washington Trombone Quartet the music was agile, lively and powerful.

January 21, 2006: The Vision of the Apocalypse by Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse

The Vision of the Apocalypse has been in the mind of its composer, Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, for a number of years. But though she has repeatedly received the endorsement and encouragement from such well-known composers as Mademoiselle Nadia Boulanger (with whom she studied) and more recently from Maestro John Rutter of Cambridge, she has hesitated to pursue the work in the face of the powerful challenge this text demands and a sense that general audiences might be disinterested to consider such a text seriously. The tragic events of 9/11, however, spurred a new and deepening interest in end-time events, and she finally made the decision to complete the work. After MidAmerica Productions reviewed the score, they graciously offered to present its premiere performance in Carnegie Hall. The program on January 21 was the Washington area premiere of this work. The orchestra and choir who performed it also took the work on a successful and ambitious international tour to South Africa where the work was performed in the Town Halls of Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town, along with other concert venues throughout the country.

Sept. 17, 2005: Organist Jean Christophe Geiser

Jean-Christophe Geiser has enjoyed a rapid career since 1991 when at the age of 26 he was named competition winner for the prestigious position of titular organist of the Cathedral of Lausanne, Switzerland's most important gothic building. In 1993 he was appointed professor of organ for professional studies at the Lausanne High School of Music, where he is currently dean of the organ and harpsichord department. He is also artistic director of the Cathedral’s Concert Society.

On September 17, 2005, he was our guest for an Evensong concert. His eclectic program included works by Vincent Lubeck, Johann Sebastian Bach, Guy Ropartz, Johannes Brahms, and Louis-James Lefébure-Wely. His performance took me back to my travels in Europe and those wonderful occassions when I would happen upon an organ concert. Thanks to recordings, well-informed teachers, and a growing number of great organs in good spaces in this country, we are building a respectable tradition of informed performances. However, it is always a delight to hear a European organist performing indiginous repertoire. There is a comfortable ownership there, without pretense. Geiser's performance showed mature technique, and clean and thoughtful interpretation.