The start of the Gloria was more ceremonial than alarming. The opening orchestral jolts were not delivered with the expected energy. However, the first entry of the full chorus projected so much power that I was “electrified.†In the Laudamus Te, Shafer demonstrated that he could do anything with this huge body of voices. The movement was effervescently performed, with a marvelous lightness of touch. The singing was so gorgeous that the audience impetuously began to applaud at the movement’s end.
My friend Debbie sings in the Washington Chorus, and I enjoy our long cozy chats by phone about the pieces they’re working on, upcoming concert tours, and details about how things are done behind the scenes. I hope they do a recording of the Poulenc Gloria, because I’d like to be electrified too!