Previous Concerts
March 2, 2022
MUSIC FOR LENT: SECULAR, JEWISH and CHRISTIAN
PROGRAM
“John 19:41” from Jesus Christ, Superstar A. Lloyd-Webber (* 1948)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Robert Mack, tenor
Elad Katz, composer/pianist
December 5, 2021
AN ADVENT CONCERT FOR ALL
Advent Concert for All
The program features seasonal music from a wide variety of cultures, faiths, genres and traditions: J.S. Bach, Johannes Brahms, Francesco Manfredini, Biagio Marini, ELP and seasonal music from around the world.
Program:
Concerto pastorale per il Santissimo Natale Francesco Manfredini
III. Allegro (1684 – 1762)
from Weihnachts-oratorium J.S. Bach
Aria: Bereite dich, Zion (1685 – 1750)
I wonder as I wander Trad. Appalachian folk song
Zwei Lieder (Op. 91) Johannes Brahms
2. Geistliches Wiegenlied (1833 – 1897)
Coventry Carol Trad. English carol
Natività di Christo – Con le stelle in ciel che mai Biagio Marini
(1594 – 1663)
A medley of seasonal music:
Veni, veni, Emmanuel Latin hymn
Ma’oz Tsur Traditional Hanukkah song (arr. Sam Taylor)
Ríu, ríu, chíu Catalan villancico
Entre le boeuf Traditional French carol
Poor Little Jesus African-American spiritual
Pat-a-pan Burgundian carol (in English)
I believe in Father Christmas Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Finale
Performers:
Amber Rose Romero, soprano
https://www.amberromerosoprano.com/
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
www.claraobrien.com
Guy Chambers, baritone
James Douglass, piano and orgran
Samuel Taylor, guitar and lute
Stephanie Ezerman, violin
Jayon Felizarta, violin
Rachael Keplin, viola
https://keplinrachael.wixsite.com/violist
Jonathan Simmons, cello
Steven Landis, bass
News about our March 15 Spring Concert
We thought our Winter Concert would be the highlight for the season, but the Spring Concert proved our greatest success to date! In our new location at the lovely and acoustically delightful Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, we were greeted by the largest and most enthusiastic audience we’ve ever had. Thank you! And our program resonated with audience, performers and critics and the performances were fantastic, giving À la carte a new “high water mark” all around.
Read excerpts from John Lambert’s review in Classical Voice North Carolina
“This organization reminds one of the little engine that could – and did.”
“The … Rondeau by Purcell, so radiantly played one wished we’d heard all of the Abdelazar Suite”
” ‘En attendant, Esperance,’ effectively accompanied by viola and lute.”
“…Hulme’s own composition, “a red yes (Penelope),” from Odyssey Allusions … with fascinating interweaving of long melodic lines.
“…”Chanson perpetuelle,” fit admirably in context with the far newer composition, its extended lines beautifully sung by O’Brien; and rarely has the music seemed so intense, so direct, so penetrating…”
Brian Horton and his ensemble … demonstrated superior chops that were significantly enhanced by contributions from the classical side in a very impressive piece we’d welcome the chance to hear again”
“George Crumb’s The Night of the Four Moons … was the highlight of the evening …That this performance was so enthusiastically received demonstrates that À la carte has earned its audience’s confidence and respect. Well done!”
” ‘Spain’ …The jazz ensemble here was the centerpiece of the extended number, and the classical side of the house again more than held its own”
And here are more excerpts from Tim Lindemann’s review in the Greensboro News and Record:
“…a buoyant presentation of the Rondeau from ‘Abdelazar Suite’ ”
” …a ballade by Franco-Flemish composer Jacob Senleches … featured mezzo-soprano Clara O’Brien, who freely and expressively floated above equally free accompaniment by Rawls and lutenist Samuel Taylor.”
“…Hulme’s own composition, the well-crafted and evocative second movement of “Odyssey Allusions: a red yes (Penelope),” …all kept together by Hulme conducting.”
“O’Brien returned for a lovely presentation of the hyper-French-romantic “Chanson Perpetuelle” … was sensitively accompanied by piano quintet.
“ ‘Not Enough Sky’ by Brian Horton (a professor at N.C. Central University). His ensemble …was joined by a flute, clarinet, and string quartet. A free intro was followed by the main tune featuring both combo and orchestra. Lively improvisation from the quartet followed.”
“George Crumb … “The Night of the Four Moons” … is all about color and theater— a treat to hear live.”
“…a raucous performance of “Spain” … featuring the jazz quartet, O’Brien, winds and strings. The good-sized audience was all smiles as the concert of what Hulme called “world ethnicity” concluded.”
Here’ a compilation video of highlights:
À la carte
Spring Concert
March 15, 2019
Abdelazar Suite: II. Rondeau
Henry Purcell
(1659–1695)
En attendant, Esperance
Jacob Senleches
(fl. 1383 – 1395)
Odyssey Allusions: II. a red yes (Penelope)
Lance Hulme
Chanson Perpetuelle
Ernest Chausson
(1855–1899)
Not Enough Sky
Brian Horton
The Night of the Four Moons
George Crumb
(*1929)
Spain
Chick Corea
(*1941)
Musicians:
Erika Boysen, flute
Kelly Burke, clarinet
Samuel Taylor, guitar
Erik Schmidt, percussion
James Douglass, piano
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Marjorie Bagley, violin
Wenyin Phoenix Deng, violin
Scott Rawls, viola
Alexander Ezerman, cello
Brian Horton Ensemble
Brian Horton, sax
Ernest Turner, piano
William Ledbetter, bass
Jeremy Clemons, drums
News about our Jan 19 Winter Concert
Our first concert at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro was a great success. Audience reaction was enthusiastic and it could be this was our best concert to date. Sadly, there was no review to link. But take a look at some of the video below to get an idea of the excellent performances.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019
Recital Hall, College of Visual and Performing Arts
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
100 McIver St., Greensboro, NC 27412
Guest artist: Jennifer Chang, Chinese Guscheng Zither
Program:
Vedrò’l mio sol Guilo Caccini
Amor, ch’attendi (1551 – 1618)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Samuel Taylor, lute
Ariadne Lou Harrison
(1917 –2003)
Carla Copeland-Burns, flute
Ralph Barrett, percussion
Music for Gusheng
常筱峥, 古箏
Jennifer Chang, Gusheng
高山流水 Traditional Chinese Melody
High Mountain and Flowing in the ShanDong Style
木卡姆散序及舞 周吉/邵光琛/ 李玫
Muqam-Contemplative Prelude & Dance Ji Zhou /GuangChen
Shao/ Mei Li
Ralph Barrett, percussion
花儿为什么这样红 Uyghur Folksong
Why are the flowers so red?
Jennifer Chang, Gusheng
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Carla Copeland-Burns, flute
Ralph Barrett, percussion
Stephanie Ezerman, violin
David Phillips, viola
Timothy Holley, cello
Steve Landis, bass
Dust in the Wind Kerry Livgren
(1949 –)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Samuel Taylor, guitar
Kelly Burke, clarinet
Bryce Richardson, bassoon
Elliott Stranger, horn
Stephanie Ezerman, violin
David Phillips, viola
Timothy Holley, cello
Steven Landis, bass
Zigeunerlieder, Op. 55 Antonín Dvořák
(1841 – 1904)
1. Mein Lied ertönt
2. Ei, wie mein Triangel
3. Rings ist der Wald
4. Als die alte Mutter
5. Reingestimmt die Saiten
6. In dem weiten
7. Darf des Falken Schwinge
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Carla Copeland-Burns, flute
Kelly Burke, clarinet
Bryce Richardson, bassoon
Elliott Stranger, horn
Samuel Taylor, lute and guitar
Stephanie Ezerman, violin
David Phillips, viola
Timothy Holley, cello
Steven Landis, bass
Translations:
Our musicians:
Jennifer Chang, gusheng
http://www.jenniferchang.com/
Carla Copeland-Burns, flute
https://www.carlacopelandburns.com/
Kelly Burke, clarinet
Bryce Richardson, bassoon
Elliott Stranger, horn
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
www.claraobrien.com
Samuel Taylor, lute and guitar
Ralph Barrett, percussion
Stephanie Ezerman, violin
David Phillips, viola
Timothy Holley, cello
Steve Landis, bass
News about our 2018 Spring Concert
Thursday, April 19, 2018, First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro
Here are some excepts from Tim Lindemann’s review in the New and Record:
“Hulme … laid down a riff on the piano [and the] other instruments entered one by one or in combination … the music accrued power and depth … and the entire seven minutes exuded good energy.”
“’Ozymandias’ … by … John Salmon [sung by] Robert Wells. Salmon’s chordal piano introduction, including a mixture of quartal chords and jazzy sounds, led into the dramatic setting. … Wells sang with great expression and sensitivity.”
“O’Brien was joined by Wells for “Halleluiah” by Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) in a winning arrangement by Hulme.”
“The evening concluded with “Summertime” [which] began lazily but was rocking by the end.”
The complete review can be read in Reviews
Program:
The Struggle for Pleasure … Wim Mertens (* 1953)
Megan Makeever, flute
Anthony Taylor, clarinet
Aaron Hill, alto saxophone
Lance Hulme, keyboard 1
John Salmon, keyboard 2
Wendy Rawls, Stephanie Ezerman, violins
Dave Phillips, viola
Evan Richey, cello
Steve Landis, bass
Ozymandias … John Salmon
Robert Wells, baritone
John Salmon, piano
Four Songs on Poems of Friedrich Hebbel …. John Salmon
Nachtlied
Herbstbild
Erleuchtung
Herbstbild
Excerpts from Norma … Vincenzo Bellini (1801-35)
Casta Diva(Norma)
Duet from Act II (Norma, Adalgisa)
Lyndsey Swann, soprano
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Megan Makeever, flute
Anthony Taylor, clarinet
Caresse Virnig, horn
Wendy Rawls, Stephanie Ezerman, violins
Dave Phillips, viola
Evan Richey, cello
Steve Landis, bass
Halleluiah …. Leonard Cohen (1934-2016)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Robert Wells, baritone
Aaron Hill, alto saxophone
Lance Hulme, keyboard
Wendy Rawls, StephanieEzerman, violins
Dave Phillips, viola
Evan Richey, cello
Steve Landis, bass
Summertime … George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Megan Makeever, flute
Anthony Taylor, clarinet
Aaron Hill, alto saxophone
Caresse Virnig, horn
Wendy Rawls, Stephanie Ezerman, violins
Dave Phillips, viola
Evan Richey, cello
Steve Landis, bass
Guest Composer
John Salmon
http://www.johnsalmon.com/John_Salmon/Welcome.html
Emerging Artist:
Lyndsey Swann
Musicians:
Megan Makeever, flute
http://www.erikaboysen.com
Anthony Taylor, clarinets
https://anthotaylo.wordpress.com
Aaron Hill, Saxophone
Wendy Rawls, violin
Stephanie Ezerman, violin
David Phillips, viola
Evan Richey, cello
Steven Landis, bass
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
www.clararobrien.com
Robert Wells, baritone
News about our February 1 winter concert
Our second concert of the 2017/18 season was a great success. Thanks to all of you who showed up and made it a wonderful evening. Special thanks to guest artist Chris Gekker, who came in from Washington D.C. just for this event. Also, we were delighted to be able have Libyan musician Nabil Rahma with us and were absolutely delighted to be able to perform together with him. The evening was rounded out by our excellent ensemble including Jim Douglass, Ashley Barret and Alex Ezerman. We were delighted many of you stayed around to talk afterward. We love getting the opportunity to meet you and hear what you think of the series. Thank you for your support and your input!
Here are a few quotes from the review by Tim Lindeman in the <em>Greensboro News and Record</em>:
<blockquote><em><strong> À la carte … </strong></em>continu[es] its tradition of offering “a wide assortment of music from various genres, styles and epochs.”
The … sounds were part of a computer generated “backdrop” for “Caritas abundant” (“Charity abounds”), an antiphon written by the “German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary” Hildegard von Bingen … [The] arrangement created an other-worldly experience.
As flashy as the trumpet part [in Handel’s aria] may be, this is a tour-de-force for the singer. O’Brien matched the brass instrument’s agility but with a rich, dark timbre. The rhythmic vitality of all the musicians created brilliance and excitement.
Libyan musician Nabil Rahma performed three works for the Islamic lute, the oud … the listener was immediately transported to Syria … O’Brien joined Rahma and Hulme to convincingly sing this sad lament of a jilted lover.
Such an interesting combination — voice and trumpet. The two often intermingling and sometimes imitating each other, sometimes going their own way … a poignant and evocative setting
The jazzy 1931 “Sleepy Time Down South,” featuring O’Brien, Douglass and Gekker served as the encore, nicely rounding the wide-ranging program.
<p style=”text-align: center;”></p>
</blockquote>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Click on the address below to read Tim Lindeman’s complete review in the <em>Greensboro News and Record</em></p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><a href=”http://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/music-review-la-carte-concert-series/article_8e79b9e4-576e-57c8-a197-d3398a17e7c4.html”>Greensboro News and Record Review</a></p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><strong>Watch highlights from our second concert of the 2017/18 season below.</strong></p>
<h1 style=”text-align: center;”></h1>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Contact<strong> À la carte</strong> at <em>alcgreensboro@gmail.com.</em></p>
Winter Concert
February 1, 2018, 7:30 p.m.
Guest artists
Chris Gekker (trumpet)
World music from Libya!
Nabil Rahma (Oud)
Program
Caritas abundant Hildegard von Bingen
(1098 – 1179)
Chris Gekker, trumpet arr. Lance Hulme
Alexander Ezerman, cello
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Quiet City Aaron Copland
(1900 – 1990)
Ashley Barret, English Horn
Chris Gekker, trumpet
James Douglass, piano
Con tromba guerriera m’invita la fama (from Silla) G. F. Handel
(1685 – 1759)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Chris Gekker, trumpet
Alexander Ezerman, cello
James Douglass, piano
سماعي راست – عبدالرحمن جبقجي. Abdu El-Rahman Jabakji
(Samaie Rast)
Nabil Rahma, oud
سماعي حجاز كار كرد – نبيل رحمة. Nabil Rahma
(Samai Hijaz Kar Kurd)
Nabil Rahma, oud
Lance Hulme, keyboard
أنا في انتظارك – أم كلثوم. Oum Kolthom (1904-1975)
(Ana Fi Aintizarik)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Nabil Rahma, oud
Lance Hulme, keyboard
The Street Has Changed Lance Hulme
I.
II.
III.
IV. (Echoes)
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Chris Gekker, trumpet
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Ashley Barret, oboe
Alexander Ezerman cello
Lance Hulme, keyboards
James Douglass, piano and harpsichord
News about our September 21th concert
Here are a few quotes from the review by John Lambert in Classical Voice North Carolina:
À la carte is a remarkable undertaking, worthy of enthusiastic support…
…a lovely duet for two solo voices consisting of a sequence from Las Huelgas Codex… sung, ethereally, from the rear balcony of the church.
Bach’s Cantata 170 … the radiance of the singing was matched measure for measure by the richness and keen incisiveness of the instrumentalists.
The evening’s premiere was of Four North Carolina Seasons by Richard Langellotti … handsomely vocalized by Guillén, supported with admirable attentiveness by pianist Richard Auvil.
Guillén seemed … at home with three magnificent tangos, accompanied by … Alejandro Rutty, who played both piano and bass guitar … with oft’-passionate involvement.
“Songs to Ancient Children Come” … created a very favorable impression and generated warm response
six Grieg songs [were] gloriously realized by O’Brien … I am frankly at a loss to convey in words how much [the arrangement] added to the gripping emotion of these songs.
Click on the address below to read John Lambert’s complete review on Classical Voice North Carolina
Classical Voice North Carolina Review
Watch highlights from our second concert below.
Program
In virgulto gracie (sequence from the Las Huelgas Codex (c. 1325)
Lorena Guillén, soprano
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Cantata 170, “Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust” J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
Tadeu Coelho, flute
Ashley Barret, oboe d’amore
Wendy Rawls, Stephanie Ezerman, violin
Scott Rawls, viola
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Alexander Ezerman, cello
Susan Bates, continuo
Four North Carolina Seasons Richard Langellotti (1962)
World premiere
I. Springtime
II. Summer
III. Blue Ridge Autumn
IV. High Country Winter
Lorena Guillén, soprano
Richard Auvil, piano
Tangos
Lorena Guillén, soprano
Alejandro Rutty, piano
Songs to Ancient Children Come Joni Mitchell (1943)
Lorena Guillén, soprano
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Ashley Barret, oboe d’amore
Baron Tymas, guitar
Six Ditge ab Henrik Ibsen Eduard Grieg (1843 –1907)
(6 Songs of Henrik Ibsen) (arr. Lance Hulme)
I. Spillemænd
II. En svane
III. Stambogsrim
IV. Med en vandlilje
V. Borte!
VI. En Fuglevise
Ashley Barret, oboe/English horn
Kelly Burke, clarinets/bass clarinet
Abigal Pack, French horn
Wendy Rawls, Stephanie Ezerman, violin
Scott Rawls, viola
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Alexander Ezerman, cello
Steven Landis, contrabass
Guest artists, Tango duo Lorena Guillén and Alejandro Rutty
www.alejandrorutty.com
Emerging composer Richard Langellotti
Performers:
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
www.claraobrien.com
Tadeu Coelho, flute
Ashley Barret, oboe
Kelly Burke, clarinet
Abigail Pack, horn
Stephanie Ezerman, violin
Wendy Rawls, violin
Scott Rawls, viola
Alexander Ezerman, cello
Stephen Landis, bass
www.slandismusic.com
Susan Bates, harpsichord
Richard Auvil, piano
www.richardauvil.com
Baron Tymas, guitar
www.tymasmusic.com
News about our April 27th concert
Here are a few quotes from the review by Timothy Lindemann in Classical Voice North Carolina:
Thursday night’s performance certainly lived up to the PR…
…the traditional Appalachian folk/gospel song “Wayfaring Stranger,”… was a haunting arrangement with occasional rhapsodic bursts from the piano, but nothing that covered O’Brien’s rich and soulful singing.
L’Astatto, … with fast keyboard and cello work strongly played by both Hulme and Holley. But it was O’Brien who caught the humor and the mock-pathos of the text so exquisitely.
The Baron Tymas ensemble … featured strong playing from guitarist Tymas with Annalise Stalls, saxophones, Aaron Gross, bass, and Thomas Taylor, drums.
“Emerging artists” Brandon Ironside, violin, and Kristen Ironside, piano, performed an original work by Hulme …
the movement was chocked full of dazzling fiddle playing, all cleanly performed by violinist Ironside. Occasionally there was some respite for the fiddler, but that only provided a spotlight to shine on the pianist.[In] “A Girl’s Song to Her Mother,” … tender memories are hauntingly set, and O’Brien and Fancher seamlessly merged their melodic lines together.
The evening concluded with two pieces by Canadian song writer/performer Bruce Cockburn … A perfect ending to a truly eclectic evening of music.
Watch highlights from our second concert below.
Program
Wayfaring Stanger … trad. (arr. L. Hulme)
L’Astratto, a cantata … Barbara Strozzi (1619 – 1677)
The Baron Tymas Ensemble
Reel to Real … Lance Hulme
I. Getting Reel
Songs of the Cotton Grass … Hilary Tann
I. A Girl’s Song To Her Mother
F-A-E Sonata
III. Scherzo … Johannes Brahms (1833 –1897)
The Rose Above The Sky … Bruce Cockburn
Performers:
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Susan Fancher, soprano saxophone
Annalise Stalls, saxophones
Baron Tymas, guitar
Kirsten Ironside, piano
Brandon Ironside, violin
Lance Hulme, keyboards
Thomas Taylor, drums
Timothy Holley, cello
Aaron Gross, bass
News about our inaugural January 27, 2017 concert
Vocalist Clara O’Brien and composer Lance Hulme are not afraid of variety…they’ve never abandoned their embrace of stylistic and chronological multiplicity…the program brimmed with musical color.
O’Brien … cut into the Vivaldi with precision, making frequent use of a haunting and delicate straight tone. The ensemble, led by Hulme, was an all-star collection of brilliant Triad locals… a sparkling opening!
…the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble’s sound was absolutely enchanting: clean and shimmering, but also warm and rich. Such was their precision that when they locked into a tight harmony, the sound through the loudspeakers sparkled like a fine studio recording.
Flores … literally leapt through the number, dancing down the isle of First Presbyterian as she sang the titular character’s signature aria. The audience returned Flores’ enthusiasm with glowing applause.
Watch highlights from our inaugural concert below.
Antonio Vivaldi: Cessate, omai cessate
Our guest ensemble: The North Carolina Central University Jazz Vocal Ensemble
Emerging artist soprano Elena Flores
Charles Ives’ “General William Booth Enters Into Heaven”
A duet for soprano and mezzo-soprano by Dr. Hulme
And several delectable surprises
Our performers include:
Clara O’Brien, mezzo-soprano
Elena Flores, soprano
Wendy Rawls, Rebekah Blanton, violins
Scott Rawls, viola
Timothy Holley, cello
Susan Bates, harpsichord
James Douglass, piano
