December 2000 - Nr. 13
Austrian Advent Concert
European traditions do not always flourish in foreign lands, but some of them survive generation after generation, inspiring the ones that are yet to come. Each culture from abroad contributes something of lasting value to Canada, and music is only one of these special things to remain alive so far away from the original homeland. Especially the tunes of old find much admiration and perhaps an even more rewarding endurance than they do in the place of their origin. Here, so far away from the way of life of old cultures, here in this relatively new nation with such different ways, here, where the preservation of traditions is an earnest pastime, here we appreciate those efforts perhaps more than anywhere else.
Canadian multiculturalism at its best can be observed at any time of year in many different communities across the land. Yet, at Christmas time it is even more visible. It is mainly the concerts, which lure us to the various churches and halls in search of a tiny piece of home. No matter how long we have been here, how involved we have become in this nations traditions and customs, and we are involved, in the end we long to hear and see some of our own folklore.
The
Austrian Alpine Choir under the baton of Willi Platzer, already decorated by
the Austrian government for his contributions in the preservation and
forwarding of Austria’s musical heritage, is but one of the possible
choices, but definitely not one to be missed. Only a few years old and grown
out of several musical entities this choir has undergone astounding changes
in a very short time. The most significant of all occurred during the last
year and can likely be attributed to two different things. Some professional
training, emphasizing breathing techniques and thus improving diction
tremendously advanced the natural talents and many years of practise in the
field of music. This in turn enabled the choir to improve timing as well and
makes a conductor’s job much easier.
The other contributing factor towards a marked improvement was perhaps a trip to the roots of the music. Many of the choir members, such as the Forget-Me-Nots, who we saw grow up with music, as well as part of their families, who are not even of a German language background, had never been to Austria, but sang this countries’ music always with considerable fervour.
As
we learned after their return this trip to Austria left everyone in awe.
Everywhere they went the welcome and appreciation were overwhelming. To see
and hear and taste the real thing injected an even stronger desire into this
group to preserve and present Austrian music to North Americans audiences.
So
it was with much anticipation that audiences from the greater Toronto area
made their way to Scarborough and the Shrine Of Our Lady Fatima on the first
Advent Sunday of this year. The sun was shining but it was very cold. Inside
the light filtered through the colourful stained glass windows, illuminating
the big space in front of the altar as an ideal stage setting. The Advent
wreath was in place, the lectern where Claus Pircher and Steve Adam read in
German and English some traditional stories and commentaries about Christmas
time, stood aside from where the choir would take its place on the steps to
the altar.
And
as the choir members walked in the anticipation among the audience grew.
Everyone has come to accept only the best from this event and upfront it has
to be said, no one was disappointed, but surprised at the very high level of
professionalism. The only criticism to be voiced is the fact that it would
be better not to push the line: "We are only an amateur choir." It
is starting to wear thin. From the quality of the voices, the cleanliness of
technique, the precision of "Einsaetze", the clearness of diction,
from all those technical points of view this choir really sounds
professional. Improvement can occur in the lightness of delivery, when more
of a spirit of play is apparent, rather than seriousness when a being
earnest or sincerity would be enough. That improvement in this respect is
possible became abundantly clear when the choir followed an unscheduled
request and sang, without the sheet music, a spiritual Zulu song to start
the second half of the concert. It is also apparent when the choir sings at
other occasions material which is much more familiar, because it is also
sung much more often throughout the year.
But
this afternoon almost everything was as perfect as it could be. Except for
the occasional serious face from too much concentration there was nothing to
distract from the shear enjoyment of a traditional Austrian Advent and
Christmas time. The program was packed with familiar and less known songs
and melodies. Especially the interjections of readings and the mixing of
choral music with instrumental "Stubenmusi", the festive and
glorious sound of the harp contributed to an interesting program.
The
most astounding thing about this choir is the fact that they are not just a
choir; they are a group of musicians that can sing and play instruments, at
least quite a few of them. The repertoire is quite large and various styles
of music can be interpreted with ease. When the men step forward to sing by
themselves we appreciate more that they hold back when singing with the many
beautiful women’s voices in a mixed arrangement. As an ensemble they are
very well grooved in. Startling is the amount of individual talent apparent
in this group, which shows up several times when a solo voice steps out of
the choir ranks to entice us.
Other perfect moments occur when the audience is invited to
sing along one or more of the season’s favourite tunes. 
It
balances the flow of receiving and giving, contributing, being a part of the
larger family of like minded.
When
the concert nears the end all got up and lit candles to listen to the
original version of "Silent night", just accompanied by guitar. It
was a perfect moment and brought tears to the eyes of many.
Similar reports came out of Kitchener, where the choir also gave a performance during Christkindl Market time. One family of six came all the way from Indiana, USA. They said that this was the most beautiful concert they had heard in a very long time and that they were very touched by it.
We can only hope that this choir escapes the trials and tribulations that befall most groups when they are together for a long time; and if those situations turn up, that all concerned do what is best in order to preserve the tradition they created over the period of a decade. SFR
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
