Twin Premieres

The Exsultate chorale in Venice, Florida sang the premiere performance Sunday of two works they commissioned on texts by Wendell Berry.  A TIMBERED CHOIR and THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS were grouped with THE WHEEL, WE CLASP THE HANDS, and THE CIRCLES OF OUR LIVES to form a cycle of pieces, all on Berry texts. Each work was preceded by the reading of the poem, two of them recordings of Berry himself.  I find his words profound and elegant, with a great love for the land, the circles of generations, and the wheel of time connecting us all.  It was evident that the singers were connected to this awareness, as well.  Many thanks to all singers, board members and supporters who were invested in this special weekend, especially conductor Steve Johns and Tom Olshewsky, who conceived the idea, and pianist Mary Jeanne Moorman, whose sensitive playing shaped the performance.