Music and Dance Reviews : Brahms Program by William Hall Chorale

A cynical observer might view the achievements of the William Hall Chorale and Orchestra as rich accomplishments meagerly rewarded. After all, the Los Angeles-based choral organization, this month concluding its 32nd season, usually sings in what are considered secondary performing venues, still struggles for fiscal survival in the cold world of the music business and, despite national and international tours, has yet to reach the wide audience it deserves.

For the artists of the chorale, these matters may not be of great importance. For them, how and what they sing is the issue. By that standard, the 108 members of the chorale and the 60 players of the orchestra could take pride in an expansive, touching and handsome performance of works by Brahms, Sunday afternoon in Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Led eloquently but with little fuss by William Hall, these readings of the Alto Rhapsody and “Ein Deutsches Requiem,” could not surprise in their integration of sound and text, their mellow but powerful vocalism and their general musical sweep. After three decades one can begin to take these virtues for granted--as long as the leader adheres to his standards.

Hall has done that. He has built and maintained a tightly balanced choral structure which delivers words, sounds and meaning simultaneously and achieves emotional and physical resonance with apparent effortlessness. The group’s singing of the Requiem touched chords of sympathy that revealed depths of feeling that some choruses never acknowledge, much less project. Hall’s orchestra played mellifluously.

Peter Van Derick--Van is his middle name, not part of the surname--was the authoritative and rich-toned baritone soloist. Karon Poston’s handsome soprano seemed overripe for her assignment.

The Alto Rhapsody benefited from the solid vocal presence of mezzo-soprano Martha Jane Weaver, who, though she proved to be no contralto, nevertheless brought feeling and spirituality to the wide-ranging solo line. The men of the chorale gave warm support.