Music Reviews

Apr 20, 2008 - The Reno Chamber Orchestra ends its season with Mozart's Requiem at Immaculate Conception Church

By Jack Neal

Unfortunately, the legend surrounding the writing of Mozart’s Requiem is more interesting than all but the Requiem’s most inspired performances.

Thanks to Milos Forman’s 1984 movie based on Peter Schaffer’s play, “Amadeus,” Mozart’s Requiem Mass is more shrouded in mystery than it was - even before fiction struck. How much of the Mass did Mozart actually write? Who filled in the blank spots upon his death? Was Antonio Salieri, Mozart’s rival, involved?

Saturday evening (4/19/08), in its usual adventuresome bent under the leadership of its conductor, Theodore Kuchar, the Reno Chamber Orchestra moved its “Requiem” concert from its normal venue, Reno’s Nightingale Concert Hall, to a new Roman Catholic edifice, the Immaculate Conception Church, in Sparks. Awash in brilliant light, this antiseptic contemporary building misses the mystique and haunting cathedral acoustics that might generate, within the graces of an inspired presentation, a genuinely spiritual experience.

With four excellent soloists who do their part - soprano Katharine DeBoer, mezzo-soprano Jacalyn Kreitzer, tenor Genaro Mendez, bass-baritone Gary Aldrich - and the 80-voice University of Nevada, Reno Symphonic Choir impeccably prepared by Duane Karna, which does its part, Kuchar molds his forces into a nicely rounded package of artistic religiosity without elevating the proceedings into the realm of the divine. Surprising, because Kuchar’s leadership of the Reno Chamber Orchestra has been consistently punctuated by fresh approaches to the tried and true, and reaching – sometimes rising - to the heights even iffy material can provide. Even shrouded in mystery, Mozart’s Requiem is far from iffy.

Part of the problem rests with the church as a concert-hall venue. There is a warmth to the sound, but necessary musical specifics lack clarity. Muddied, but not enhanced with an ethereal, otherworldly reverberation, the Mozart struggles to find its balance.

There are exceptions.

The opening “Introitus” (“Grant them eternal rest”), with its blend of dignity and mournful lyricism, is powerful. It’s also the only section fully realized by Mozart. Impressive, too, is the presentation of the noble theme of the “Kyrie eleison” (“Lord have mercy”) as it fuses with the more humanized theme of the “Christe eleison” (Christ have mercy). With its angry singing over a furious string background, the “Confutatis” (“When the accursed have been confounded”) is the mass’s most dramatic moment and thrillingly presented. The sorrowfulness of the “Lacrimosa” (“Mournful that day”), the last section Mozart wrote, is managed with sublime reverence.

The concert opens with Josef Suk’s Serenade for Strings in E-flat Major. A student of Dvorak’s when he wrote this delightful piece in 1892, Suk was still in his teens. There are many echoes of Dvorak, especially in the “Adagio” movement. But Suk was finding his own voice and it’s a very charming voice to hear. And – it’s gorgeously played.

The concert will be repeated Sunday, April 20 (2008) at 2 p.m.

This is the final concert in the Reno Chamber Orchestra’s 2007-2008 season. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Gilbert Lenz, one of the orchestra’s longtime benefactors and most loyal fans. For both the orchestra’s superb season of presenting beautifully played, interesting programs, and Dr. Lenz’s very special presence and commitment to great music, “the song may have ended, but the melody lingers on.”

The Reno Chamber Orchestra’s 2008-2009 season opens Saturday, September 20 (2008) at 8 p.m. and Sunday September 21 (2008) at 2 p.m. with a program of Beethoven’s “Creatures of Prometheus Overture” and Symphony No. 5, and the world premiere of Joseph Schwantner’s “Chasing Light…”. Reno Chamber Orchestra concerts are played at Nightingale Concert Hall, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775-348-9413 or go online at RenoChamberOrchestra.org.