The 24 youthss, aged 14 and under, belonging to one of the senior divisions of the Vienna Boys Choir could do no wrong at the first of their four Statford Summer Music concerts on Friday evening.
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
The capacity audience was charmed from the moment the sailor-suited kids stepped out onto the St Andrew’s Church stage — a receptiveness that turned into admiration as the group, led by pianist and choirmaster Oliver Stech, sang an eclectic programme of classical sacred pieces, show tunes, folksongs and Viennese ballroom-inspired works.
There literally was something for everybody on this programme, and the boys presented everything with the same earnest commitment and solid command of occasionally very complex part singing. But it was the lighter fare, best aligned with the simpler pleasures of a perfect summer evening, that appeared to leave the deepest impression on the audience.
It seems so improbable that a 515-year-old institution that does not admit girls can not only continue to exist, but also draw across a vast audience and earn admiration for concert after concert. But these boys — as do the boys in dozens of male-only church choirs and choir schools around world — are able to continue this tradition because of how well they sing, and how committed their adult leaders and parents are the the cause.
Yes, it would be nice to see girls allowed into this boys’ club. But there was nothing in what we saw and heard on Friday in Stratford suggested that the need is pressing in any way.
With their Viennese polkas and waltzes, their lederhosen (pulled on by five game boys who provided us with a bit of clodhopping folkdancing), tunes from The Sound of Music, and Tyrolean folksongs, these boys were a slice of Austrian storybook — here today, gone to enchant another part of the world tomorrow.
Well, not quite tomorrow: They remain in Stratford for three more concerts — Saturday and Sunday by themselves and Tuesday with Canadian tenor (and St Michael’s Choir School grad) Michael Schade.
You’ll find the details here.
John Terauds
- Classical Music 101: What Does A Conductor Do? - June 17, 2019
- Classical Music 101 | What Does Period Instrument Mean? - May 6, 2019
- CLASSICAL MUSIC 101 | What Does It Mean To Be In Tune? - April 23, 2019
