Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents Hope and Dreams in Review
Heather Sorenson, composer/conductor/piano
Joseph M. Martin, composer/conductor
Distinguished Concerts Orchestra
Distinguished Concerts International Singers
Heather Lake Bayes, soprano; Ryan Johnston, tenor; Sue Martin, soprano; Layke Jones, baritone
Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, New York, New York
November 27. 2023
The holiday season is now in full swing, and Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) is once again adding to the festivities with their holiday concerts. Yesterday, (Sunday 11/26) Handel’s Messiah kicked off the series. Tonight, it was a concert entitled Hope and Dreams, featuring Christmas Dreams, a collaboration between Heather Sorenson and Joseph M. Martin, and the New York premiere of Ms. Sorenson’s Requiem. Excitement filled the hall as the Distinguished Concerts Singers hailing from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and individual singers around the globe, took the stage.
Heather Sorenson took the podium to conduct the New York premiere of her Requiem. Commissioned by the Florida United Methodist of Gainesville, Florida (FUMC) in honor of those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, her Requiem was written to bring hope and healing to all who have experienced loss. This work is a combination of traditional Latin and English, with references to Scripture and hymn texts. Clocking in at around thirty-five minutes, it is, as the program notes state, “an authentic journey of grief and peace, tension and release.”
While the concept of a requiem addressing those still living is not novel (e.g., Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living) and neither is the interspersing of English with Latin (e.g., Mark Hayes’s Requiem), what sets Ms. Sorenson’s Requiem apart is her own unique brand of tonal beauty. She has a gift for melody and making those melodies harmonically interesting.
I’m not going to comment about all eight movements but will focus on some of the highlights – the program notes specifically suggest the listener take particular note of the Introit, Sanctus, Pie Jesu, and Lux Aeterna with “what to listen for” explanations. Of these suggestions, I will address two. The Sanctus had a driving energy and exuberance verging on ecstasy (complete with xylophone and a “stinger” end) that one usually does not encounter in a Requiem. The call for whispered prayer in the Pie Jesu (indicated by triangle as to the beginning and ending of those prayers) was poignant – one could see the chorus engaged in this. Now, two more movements of note: the Kyrie, from the solo cello opening to the last note, was exceedingly beautiful. The Agnus Dei had a martial quality that was notable – this lamb was not meek, but strong and proud.
Let’s take a moment to recognize the two vocal soloists, soprano Heather Lake Bayes and tenor Ryan Johnston, who gave heartfelt performances. One could sense their complete devotion to the music, and this lent wings to their work. The combined forces of the chorus were excellently prepared by their respective directors and as a group projected all the beauty of the music with attention to balance, diction, and intonation. The Distinguished Concerts orchestra can always be counted on for polished, committed playing.
After the last notes of the Benedictus, the audience gave Ms. Sorenson a standing ovation. I hope to hear more from her in the future.
After intermission, DCINY favorite Joseph M. Martin (his 12th appearance with DCINY) took the podium to conduct Christmas Dreams. Ms. Sorenson joined as the pianist. Christmas Dreams is credited with Ms. Sorenson and Mr. Martin as composers. It was not stated in the program notes as to the details of their collaboration (i.e., who did what). Soprano Sue Martin and baritone Layke Jones were the featured soloists. Mr. Martin describes the nine-movement Christmas Dreams as a cantata that takes inspiration from God speaking to seekers through dreams and visions of His purpose. As he states, “Christmas is a time for dreams when we once again turn our thoughts to light, peace, love, and joy.”
I have written extensively about Mr. Martin in past reviews, so I would just like to repeat that Mr. Martin is highly skilled as a composer, with a gift for dramatic sense and an ability to express this sense harmonically. He is also an energetic conductor, whose energy is reflected back powerfully by the orchestra and chorus.
The opening instrumental Christmas Dreams Overture, with quotes from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and Good King Wenceslas set the tone for the work. There is something of the movie soundtrack (like a Disney spectacular) that abounds in this work, and I do not say that as an insult. It is something that most listeners can grasp and appreciate easily – indeed one could see the audience being pulled in. The urgency of A New Morning of Promise, the musical “snow globe” of the eighth movement called Christmas Dreams (with Ms. Sorenson as piano soloist), and the triumphant finale Hark! The Herald Angels Sing were highlights for this listener.
About the soloists: Ms. Martin has a pure, child-like singing tone that is enchanting. She perfectly captured the essence of the Mary’s Dream movement in heart-melting beauty. Mr. Jones was a revelation, with a voice that brought to mind Josh Groban (a singer I enjoy hearing). His singing in The Magi’s Epiphany wowed the hall. While all the soloists were stars tonight, he brought something extra to his performance that set him apart.
At the risk of repeating myself, I will say again that the chorus was well-prepared and ready to unleash a joyful performance, which they sure did! After the last joyous exclamation of Gloria! that concludes Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, the audience unleashed a loud standing ovation, ending the night in triumph. Happy Holidays to all!
