The playing and choral singing were again on an exalted level, and there was a new generation of Emmanuel singers in the major roles. Tenor Charles Blandy was a tireless Evangelist-as-star-reporter — nothing escaped his watchful eye — and baritone Donald Wilkinson was a heroic, resonant, unflappable Jesus. Notable contributions among the newcomer soloists came from tenor Jason McStoots, alto Miranda Loud, and basses Aaron Engebreth and Nikolas Nackley. A new voice (for me) also stood out in the great Emmanuel Orchestra, the gravely nimble gambist Emily Walhout. And the Boston Children's Chorus in the balcony was (what else?) heavenly. But every member of this amazing team deserves his or her own special accolade. Bach is their blood, in their breath. Not one contribution to the living whole was expendable.
Related:
Diva-gations, Home cooking, Resurrections, More 
- Diva-gations
Last week's Boston Symphony concert was a snaggle of contradictions. British guest conductor Mark Wigglesworth was substituting for the exciting but erratic Russian maestro Yuri Termirkanov, who'd cancelled all his American appearances.
- Home cooking
If the name "National Philharmonic of Russia" puts you in mind of some provincial Slavic ensemble making the American rounds, you're not alone.
- Resurrections
Back in pre-history (1964), a brilliant young Brit, a cellist (student of Benjamin Britten) and conductor, came to town and shook up the local classical-music scene.
- In the swim
My head’s swimming.
- Contertizing
Boston Lyric Opera follows up Dvorák’s moonstruck Rusalka, with Christopher Schaldebrand in the title role of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the BSO and much more.
- Soweto Gospel Choir
Last Sunday afternoon, the Soweto Gospel Choir made Symphony Hall history — surely this is the first time that august venue has seen anyone perform a percussion arrangement on a dinner table with plates, knives, and forks.
- World music
There’s more to Boston’s classical music scene than the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
- Erwartung . . .
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA music director James Levine will be back in February to continue his survey of Beethoven and Schoenberg with Metropolitan Opera diva Deborah Voigt in Beethoven’s “Ah! perfido” and Schoenberg’s Erwartung (“Awaiting”), along with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Eighth Symphony (Symphony Hall, February 1-3).
- From Knoxville to Swan Lake and back
As our most prestigious classical-music institution, the Boston Symphony Orchestra ought to be every year’s headliner, and once again, under the adventuresome direction of James Levine, it is.
- Beloved of God
Johannes Chrisostomas Wolfgang Gottlieb (Amadé) Mozart was born 250 years ago last Friday, January 27.
- Flirting with Beethoven
It is said that Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) “got around.” Even today, the old dog arouses the interests of performers and seduces listeners.
- Less
Topics:
Classical
, Entertainment, Music, Gabriela Diaz, More
, Entertainment, Music, Gabriela Diaz, cantata singers, Nelson Freire, Shi-Yeon Sung, Shi-Yeon Sung, David Russell, Classical Music, Orchestral Music, Less
