Divine Duos – March 23, 2013

On Saturday, March 23, the Columbia Collegiate Chorale, Pro Musica and New England Youth Ensemble of Washington Adventist University, with the Spencerville Sanctuary Choir and friends, presented a concert titled “Divine Duos.” Organist Mark Willey, opened the program with four pieces by Franck, Lefebure-Wely, Widor, and Vierne, designed to introduce the musical language of the afternoon’s program. The second half opened with a performance of Widor’s Tu es Petrus, with the choir organ part arranged for brass ensemble. This was followed by a premiere performance of a new orchestration of the Widor Mess à 2 Choeurs that featured a full orchestra playing the role of the second organ, punctuated by grand entrances from the four manual Moller pipe organ housed at the Spencerville Church. Preston Hawes directed his New England Symphonic Ensemble in a performance of the beautiful Adagio movement from Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3. The full choral forces then returned to finish the program with the thrilling Toccata from Symphony No. 5 in an orchestration by Sir David Willcocks for organ, orchestra and choir.