Chorale, orchestra give enjoyable history lesson

Published 9:00 pm Monday, March 27, 2006

EVERETT – The Everett Chorale’s spring concert Saturday night and Sunday afternoon featured the West Coast premiere of Daniel Bukvich’s “From the Journals of Lewis and Clark,” a chorale and orchestral work written in 1999.

The 80-person chorale was in fine voice, but the work especially highlighted the talents of the Chorale Arts Orchestra, 47 members of the Everett Symphony assembled for the performances.

Bukvich’s composition, comprising 12 parts, follows the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their crew from St. Louis, Mo., out west that began in 1804.

The narration, well spoken by guest performers Ray Stephanson, mayor of Everett, and Mary Fears, Snohomish County director of Habitat for Humanity, is taken from President Jefferson’s instructions to Lewis: “The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River. … In all your interaction with the natives, treat them in the most friendly manner. …”

The composition contains much meatier parts for instrumentalists than for singers, and the Chorale Arts group carried it off well, especially the various soloists employed during the performance.

The audience was taken on the journey through the lively sounds of “Cruzatte’s Fiddle” around the campfire; the “Scalp Dance of the Teton Sioux”; a lovely “Lullaby for Jean Baptiste,” son of Sacagawea and Charbonneau, and the explosive “A Roaring Too Tremendous” at the great falls of the Missouri River.

Composer Bukvich’s background in percussion was apparent, as four percussionists were kept busy throughout the performance.

The Lewis and Clark presentation was the second half of the evening’s entertainment. The concert, entitled “An American Heritage Celebration,” was ably and enthusiastically directed by the chorale’s music director and conductor, Lee Mathews.

It opened with a lovely arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” showing off the chorale’s mastery of classic choral harmony.

Following was Randall Thompson’s “The Testament of Freedom,” composed in the early 1940s to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of Jefferson. The text comes from Jefferson’s writings.

The music seemed quite stirring. But aside from the hints in the program as to the names of the sections – The God who gave us life, We have counted the cost, We fight not for glory, I shall not die without a hope – I had no idea what was being sung.

The sung words of an 19th century president (what some might call stilted) don’t typically fall on the ears as easily as what we’re used to hearing. Also, the orchestra seemed to overpower the singers somewhat.

The full house Saturday seemed to enjoy the selection nonetheless.