By Eileen Wingard
SAN DIEGO — Although I needed to park far up the street because the Tifereth Israel parking lot was full, I was happy to see an overflowing house attending the second of two concerts by TICO (Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra) in conjunction with the East County Mormon Chorale. The program, which opened with a reading of Rossini’s William Tell Overture, featured the premiere of Unetaneh Tokef by John Michael Luther. The composer also needed to serve as the vocal soloist for the piece, written for Cantor, Choir and Orchestra. The cantor, originally scheduled to perform, needed to bow out.
Although the work would have benefited by a stronger vocalist, the choral writing and the orchestration, which also included a shofar blower, impressively reflected the meaning of the words to this prayer of awe. The piece was in the tradition of romantic program music, opera music and film scores. Luther’s skills as a composer were well-honed, having studied composition under people like the great American composer, Roy Harris, and having worked for many years in the Hollywood movie studios.
Also, his degree in Theology, no doubt, influenced his spiritual affinity to this prayer from the Jewish High Holiday liturgy. The orchestral opening reflected the days of awe with breath-taking dissonant brass and rumbling strings. Later, the delicate use of a lyrical soprano voice created an aura of heavenly beauty. The solo shofar blowing by Steven Ovitsky, stirred the ancient fears, and the introduction of a fugue for the Hebrew text, Who by fire, Who by water, etc. was reminiscent of Bach and Handel’s religious writings. The harp lent ethereal grace to the work and the piece resolved quietly with a lone flute, beautifully intoned by Steve Hardy.
After intermission, the East County Mormon Chorale, under the direction of Marilyn White, sang six selections. A string orchestra accompanied “The Heavens Are Telling,” from The Creation by Haydn, and TICO accompanied the group’s concluding “Hallelujah Amen,” from Judas Maccabeus by Handel. “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” was a crowd-pleasing arrangement by Moses Hogan of a traditional spiritual. They also included a contemporary song in Latin and “Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord” from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn.
TICO, under the direction of David Amos, is to be congratulated for bringing these ecumenical forces together for such a delightful program and for premiering such a nobly inspired work.
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Wingard, a former San Diego Symphony violinist, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com
This glorious experience helped me feel connected to my ancient Israeli ancestors . Singinging in the East County Mormon Choral, under the refined direction of Conductor, Marilyn White, was a great learning experience! Partnering with the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Orchestra, under the good-natured direction of Conductor David Amos, was a stimulating experience. The reverence of Unetaneh Tokef brought tears to my eyes. It was a privilege to associate with our Hebrew cousins, orchestra and congregation included.
Sincerely,
Christine Delight Burnham
This unusual music and powerful Jewish prayer was a pleasure to learn and perform as a choir member. The message and musical spiritual power was truly felt by all present. It was a joy to perform with the amazing Jewish Orchestra.