Roger Wagner Conducts at St. Cyril’s

One thing was made clear Sunday night when Roger Wagner conducted at St. Cyril’s Church in Encino: The building is equally unkind to Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Durufle’s Requiem.

Wagner led 21-year-old Jeanette Owens in Grieg’s Concerto, in a performance that was generally cursory but competent. But any detailed discussion of the developing artistry of the fresh-faced Owens was obviated by the cavernous acoustics.

Clearly the main event was Maurice Durufle’s Requiem, featuring the forces of the Roger Wagner Chorale and the combined choirs of St. Cyril’s and St. Philips the Apostle.

Wagner led the massed voices with his usual attention to shaping of vocal line, but once more, the acoustics of the venue narrowed the expressive possibilities.

Anything beyond a generous forte resulted in a sound not unlike a cheap pair of speakers with faulty tweeters. In addition, the women appeared to outnumber the men 2-to-1; therefore, vocal balances in the tuttis were always askew.

While the orchestra generally played well insofar as it could be determined, the only sustained equilibrium of all forces took place in the great “Sanctus.”

Mezzo-soprano Claudine Carlson offered a warm, though oddly unfocused solo in the “Pie Jesu.” Two a cappella Motets by Durufle provided a welcome transition from Grieg to the Requiem. Both major works received push-button standing ovations.