The New Jersey Symphony celebrate the holiday spirit with two highly reviewed performances of Handel’s Messiah
Nicholas McGegan and the New Jersey Symphony delivered two resounding performances of Handel’s holiday classic in Princeton and Newark with guest soloists Sherezade Panthaki, Key’mon W. Murrah, Thomas Cooley and Tyler Duncan, along with choruses sung by the Montclair State University Singers. Nancy Plum of Town Topics reviewed the Friday performance in Princeton.
... the musicians maintained crisp rhythms, with sharply-played double-dotted notes keeping the pace of the music moving forward. McGegan maintained a quick but unhurried tempo, with a lean orchestral fugue setting the stage for what was to come ... Most busy throughout the concert were principal cellist Jonathan Spitz, principal bassist Ha Young Jung, and keyboard player Steven Ryan doubling on harpsichord and organ, comprising a continuo accompanying most of the recitatives and providing a graceful backdrop to the singing. Oboists Robert Ingliss and Andrew Adelson added an elegant color to the orchestral palette, and timpanist David Fein delivered percussive punctuation when needed. With the combined crisp playing and singing, the perennial favorite Messiah was presented to a sold-out house at Richardson, with a performance both historically informed and musically nuanced to solidify the holiday season.
Nancy Plum of Town Topics
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Ralph Malachowski of PhillyGayCalendar was also in Princeton to review the performance.
The New Jersey Symphony played with sensitivity and eclat. The large forces of the Montclair State University Singers filled the stage, bringing sweetness of tone, with forceful declamation. All told, the entire performance was inspirational and beautiful.
Ralph Malachowski of PhillyGayCalendar
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Courtney Smith of NJArts.net would review the Sunday performance at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.
There was little doubt that McGegan’s Baroque appetite would influence his interpretation, using a pared down, chamberlike orchestral setting and clean, clear harmonic language. He remained faithful to Handel’s intentions with Baroque articulations throughout, and kept Handelian excesses of over-ornamentation and campiness at bay ... Light, airy strings made charming countermelodies in the tutti movements and the “Pifa” pastoral. Timpani, harpsichord and organ continuo added profundity to the well-tempered bass line. Two trumpet soloists played from a side sanctuary box with refined delicacy in the closing choruses of Part II and III. A handful of oboes and bassoons outnumbered brass, which amplified melodic color.
Courtney Smith of NJArts.net
» Read the full review from NJArts.net
Sherri Rose of QonStage would also review the performance at the Cathedral in Newark.
The pace at which he takes the orchestra gives the music full measure, pun intended. Rather than cumbersome and dull, the music is lively and energetic and it seems like the orchestra is enjoying literal play. The Montclair State University Singers, Heather Buchanan Musical Director, displayed clean sharp diction and for every chorus seemed to rise as a single entity to serenade us within the vaulted sacred space of the Cathedral Basilica. Yet the majesty of the space was matched only by the soloists, whose highlights were thrilling.
Sherri Rose of QonStage