In George Eliot’s 19th-century novel Middlemarch, a character observes wistfully how rich, full colors can penetrate one’s consciousness as thoroughly as scent does. That scene came to mind as I took my seat at the annual Bach Society of St. Louis Christmas Candlelight Concert, held in December at Powell Hall. The performance reminded me that well crafted music embeds itself just as deeply in the senses as other forms of beauty.
On this particular evening, the orchestral tones came in shades of holiday red, green and gold, with music director and conductor A. Dennis Sparger at the podium, the Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra providing vocal and instrumental inspiration and guest soprano Sherezade Panthaki taking center stage for selected numbers. During the evening, Sparger encouraged audience members to consider the Christmas theme of “peace on earth” as applying to everyone, including those who are not fortunate enough to live in peaceful circumstances.
The program was a pleasantly textured collection of classical and popular pieces including “What Child Is This,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “O Holy Night” and Johann Sebastian Bach’s own “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” Other less well known selections were just as stirring, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Exsultate, Jubilate,” William Mathias’ “A Babe Is Born,” Felix Mendelssohn’s “Verleih Uns Frieden” (Grant Us Peace) and “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” a Polish carol.
Music is a universal language and should be a participatory endeavor, so audience members were encouraged to stand and add their voices to two Christmas favorites, “Joy to the World” and “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen,” with spectacular effect. Guest conductor Ron Klemm and assistant conductor Stephen Eros joined Sparger in helping the audience feel at one with the music, Panthaki’s mesmerizing voice kept the house at rapt attention, and I found my gaze moving from one section of the orchestra to the next, anticipating each instrument’s contributions. It wasn’t a surprise to hear about Panthaki’s critical acclaim, including the Los Angeles Times‘ praise for her “full, luxuriously toned upper range” and the Calgary Herald‘s appreciation of her “astonishing coloratura with radiant top notes.”
Other highlights of the evening included a candlelit procession by the choir, and the palpable anticipation leading up to Panthaki’s resounding high note near the end of “O Holy Night.” Watching and hearing the choir members weave through the aisles during “Silence to Joy” gave the audience an unusual opportunity to experience their voices individually, and an encore of “Silent Night,” sung in German, tied the bow on an inspiring evening.
One of the best things about this annual musical celebration is that it’s not just for people who celebrate Christmas. It’s for anyone who appreciates holiday music as a means of lifting the senses, stirring the mind, carrying on tradition and creating a sense of wonder and community.
The Candlelight Concert ranks among BBC Music Magazine‘s top 20 live Christmas events in North America, so it is well worth marking your calendar to reserve tickets for 2023. It’s likely to be a full and festive house once again.
Upcoming Bach Society of St. Louis concerts include Handel’s Messiah on March 5 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion on April 29 at Missouri Baptist University. To learn more about the organization, founded in 1941, visit bachsociety.org.
Photos: ProPhoto STL