SPECIAL FEATURE - A Holiday Highnote

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TALK OF THE TOWNS

A hOLIDAY HIGH NOTE

n George Eliot's 19th-century novel i Middlemarch, By Julia M. Johnson Stephen Eros joined Sparger in helping the audience feel at a character observes wistfully how rich, full colors can one with the music, Panthaki's mesmerizing voice kept the penetrate one's consciousness as thoroughly as scent does. house at rapt attention, and I found my gaze moving from

That scene came to mind as I took my seat at the annual Bach one section of the orchestra to the next, anticipating each

Society of St. Louis Christmas Candlelight Concert, held in instrument's contributions. It wasn't a surprise to hear about

December at Powell Hall. The performance reminded me Panthaki's critical acclaim, including the Los Angeles Times' that well crafted music embeds itself just as deeply in the praise for her "full, luxuriously toned upper range" and the senses as other forms of beauty. Calgary Herald's appreciation of her "astonishing coloratura On this particular evening, the orchestral tones came with radiant top notes." in shades of holiday red, green and gold, with music Other highlights of the evening included a candlelit director and conductor A. Dennis Sparger at the podium, procession by the choir, and the palpable anticipation the Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra providing vocal leading up to Panthaki's resounding high note near the end and instrumental inspiration and guest soprano Sherezade of "O Holy Night." Watching and hearing the choir members

Panthaki taking center stage for selected numbers. During weave through the aisles during "Silence to Joy" gave the the evening, Sparger encouraged audience members to audience an unusual opportunity to experience their consider the Christmas theme of "peace on earth" as applying voices individually, and an encore of "Silent Night," sung in to everyone, including those who are not fortunate enough German, tied the bow on an inspiring evening. to live in peaceful circumstances. One of the best things about this annual musical The program was a pleasantly textured collection of celebration is that it's not just for people who celebrate classical and popular pieces including "What Child Is This," Christmas. It's for anyone who appreciates holiday music as "Do You Hear What I Hear," "O Holy Night" and Johann a means of lifting the senses, stirring the mind, carrying on

Sebastian Bach's own "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Other tradition and creating a sense of wonder and community. less well known selections were just as stirring, such as The Candlelight Concert ranks among BBC Music

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Exsultate, Jubilate," William Magazine's top 20 live Christmas events in North America,

Mathias' "A Babe Is Born," Felix Mendelssohn's "Verleih Uns so it is well worth marking your calendar to reserve tickets

Frieden" (Grant Us Peace) and "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly," a for 2023. It's likely to be a full and festive house once again.

Polish carol. Upcoming Bach Society of St. Louis concerts include Music is a universal language and should be a participatory Handel's Messiah on March 5 at the First Presbyterian endeavor, so audience members were encouraged to stand and Church in Kirkwood and Bach's St. Matthew Passion on add their voices to two Christmas favorites, "Joy to the World" April 29 at Missouri Baptist University. To learn more about and "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," with spectacular the organization, founded in 1941, visit bachsociety.org. & effect. Guest conductor Ron Klemm and assistant conductor

PHOTOS: PROPHOTO STL