Thomas Wikman Reviews
Houston Symphony Goes Baroque Route In 'Messiah' Concert
Houston Chronicle Monday, December 20, 1999
by Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle
Link to Choral.org Reprint
The annual Houston Symphony
performances of Handel's Messiah
brought to Houston an accomplished
but relatively unknown
Baroque specialist who
contributed just the right spark
of ingenuity to the very familiar
oratorio.
Thomas Wikman is founder
and music director of Chicago's
Music of the Baroque, which gave
its first performance in January
1972. The organization has been
described as the country's largest
professional chorus and orchestra
specializing in music of
the Baroque.
So Wikman provided deep experience
in leading the weekend
performances in Jones Hall, At
the first. Friday, he offered the
kind of authoritative performance
that could delight everyone, from
the listener hearing Messiah for
the first time to the person
tempted to sing, knowledgeably,
along with every chorus and solo.
Wikman's views were distinctive.
Tempos in particular were
surprisingly moderate, leading to
a dignified, purposeful interpretation.
The music-making never was
ponderous, though. The tempos
gave the quartet of soloists and
the Houston Symphony Chorus
space to sing with energy, precision
and, perhaps, a deeper connection
with both text and notes.
Wikman's choices especially
benefited the Houston Symphony
Chorus (Charles Hausmann, director).
In accuracy, tone and
involvement, the chorus sang its
best performance of Messiah that
I've heard in some years. The
hard work and discipline in
preparing Messiah paid off for both
listeners and performers.
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