University of Utah's scholarship concert is wonderful, stylistically diverse

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SINGERS, A CAPPELLA CHOIR, ALUMNI CHOIR, UTAH PHILHARMONIA, Libby Gardner Concert Hall, Nov. 21

For the University of Utah's annual scholarship concert, conductor Brady Allred chose a wonderful and stylistically diverse program that gave the large choral forces under his direction ample opportunity to shine.

And while the focus most definitely was on the three choirs, the University of Utah Philharmonia was also in the spotlight and delivered a rock-solid performance that was impressive.

The concert opened with Francis Poulenc's "Gloria."

A late work, written two years before his death in 1963, "Gloria" shows Poulenc at the height of his creativity. One of the most original — and unconventional — composers of the 20th century, Poulenc's music is defined by its rhythmic vitality, angularity and lyricism, all of which are evident in the "Gloria."

Allred's attention to detail allowed him to bring wonderfully crafted nuances to his account, as well as underscore the poetic melodicism that comes frequently through.

The lyrical sections include a solo soprano, and Carol Ann Allred delivered a finely tuned performance. Her expressive voice brought nicely modulated fluidity and lightness to the "Domine Deus," "Domine Deus, Agnus Dei" and the Amen section of the final movement ("Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris").

The choirs sang with resonance, and their articulation and delivery were spot on.

The same was true for the John Rutter "Gloria," which followed after a brief intermission. Brady Allred brought out the delightful melodicism that characterizes all of Rutter's works wonderfully. And the choirs gave a remarkable performance that didn't miss a thing — their singing was dynamic and forceful in the opening movement, tenderly lyrical in the second and exuberant in the final movement.

Closing out the concert was the "Polovtsian Dances" from Alexander Borodin's opera "Prince Igor." One of the most famous pieces to come from an opera that few know, the dances are real show-stoppers, and Allred and his musical forces gave breathtaking performances that were wildly energetic, but seamless and lyrical.

e-mail: ereichel@desnews.com