Palissanderkoor betower Stilbaai weer

Wat ‘n voorreg was dit om saam met die  briljante en toonaangewende Palissander-kamerkoor hul 30-jarige bestaansreg hier in Stilbaai te kon vier.  Onder die uiters bekwame en begeesterde Sarita Haupfleisch as dirigent, was die aand ‘n ervaring van siels-en hartsmusiek wat moeilik ge-ewenaar sal kan word.

This year's 30-year festival programme was built around the central theme THIS IS US- SING LIKE A PLANET which defines: "Planets make irrepressible sounds as they move through space. Like the planets, every person also has a unique voice that must be heard. Everyone's song must be sung. Thus music is unstoppable and engages the audience on a musical and intellectual and emotional level." The musical portrayal by the choir of this utterance was an enduring experience!

Surita se ervaring as uitstaande afrigter en dirigent het duidelik  na vore gekom in die samestelling van die feesprogram wat n wye verskeidenheid van style ingesluit het.  Opmerklik was die uiters ingewikkelde, uitdagende en onbekende werke wat soms vreemd op die “gewone” oor geval het.  ‘n  Besondere voorbeeld was die lied The Spheres van Ola Gjeilo wat die gevoel van ruimtelikheid en die uitbeelding van ‘n sonopkoms geskilder het.

Die koor se uitsonderlike en unieke klank is verder meesterlik vertoon in die lied Past
Life Melodies (Sarah Hopkins) waar drie melodië  in mekaar vloei, musikale ondertone duidelik hoorbaar was en die basparty ‘n deurlopende dreunbas-fondasie  vir die bewegende hoër stempartye geskep het.

The variety of songs presented further showcased the choir's perfect intonation, clear diction, the use of striking varying dynamics and fine choices of rhythmic instruments.  In the gripping song My Name is Lamiya the brilliant use of foot stomping and the creative use of personal names, was extremely well chosen and superbly handled.

The fine flair and creation of a sacred atmosphere in the Xhosa song Indodana was one of the highlights of the evening. Furthermore, Surita has a gift for using the hall as an acoustic space by sometimes placing choir members around the audience, creating a sense of complete enclosure by musical sound and experience in the audience.

Die besondere aand, wat nog lank onthou sal word, is afgesluit met die welbekende Bohemian Rhapsody en die toegif Sing gently as one wat meesterlik aangebied is.

Wat ‘n verrykende ervaring! Welgedaan Sarita! Welgedaan Palissander!

Nina du Toit