The Northwestern Choirs opened their fall season just weeks ago with two performances of Ludwig van Beethoven’s iconic Ninth Symphony. Born of a concept the young Beethoven had pondered as early as 1793 – setting Friedrich Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy” to music – and at last completed in 1824, Beethoven’s final finished symphony is widely regarded as one of his greatest works, communicating a timeless humanistic message, celebrating joy and community.
Over 100 singers from the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, University Chorale, and the Northwestern Alumni Choir – in its performing debut – came together under the direction of Donald Nally – to present this significant work, the first choral symphony by a major composer. Alongside the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Victor Yampolsky, the concert celebrated once again the collaboration of the orchestral and choral departments at the Bienen School of Music.
For Nally, Northwestern’s Director of Choral Organizations, the Beethoven performances symbolized a reunion of “so many things: the coming together of BCE and University Chorale, the discovery or rediscovery of early nineteenth-century music that is fun to sing and has a relevant message of unification and rejuvenation, and the coming home of a group of our talented alums who are now populating the major ensembles of Chicago and across the country.”
Alumni Choir member Grace Wipfli, who earned her Master of Music earlier this year and was recently honored with an encouragement award from the prestigious Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, is just one example of this talent. Returning to campus to sing with the Northwestern Choirs made her feel as though she had never left because “the people in the Bienen School of Music all have a way of making campus feel like home.” She added that “bringing back alumni to once again join the choral ranks is a sign that Dr. Nally acknowledges the importance of a supportive community and a powerful performance.”
With so many musicians involved, the performances marked a true collaborative start to the 2019-2020 school year, reinforcing the symphonic masterpiece’s message. “The concord of voices and spirits made the whole thing effortless for me,” said Nally, “it was just a great time making music with people I respect and believe in; and, it inspires me to dream about the future!”
The Northwestern Choirs’ season continues tomorrow on November 16 at 7:30 in Galvin Recital Hall and will feature The University Singers, conducted by new faculty member A.J. Keller, presenting a special program of choral music ranging from Handel to Ešenvalds. More Information and Tickets.