What an adrenaline rush tonight’s concert in Meißen was! The audience erupted into applause at the end of tonight’s performance. Perhaps it was energy rush from the meal we had at Vincenz Richter before the performance. A sugar rush from a delicious dessert cake can do that to a person. More than likely if was the energy moving between the Leipzig Baroque Orchestra and the Chorale. Anytime the Chorale performs you get chills, but what I love the most is watching the faces of members of the Orchestra as they listen to the Chorale sing their selections. Every time I get chills, I look to the Orchestra and see smiles spread across their faces and I can see plain as day that they’re just as impressed with the Chorale as I am. There are so many factors that have to line up just right to get the chills. For on thing, the acoustics of the place help dramatically, and we have had no shortage of fabulous acoustics while traveling from chapel to chapel on our tour in Germany. Another huge factor is the warming up well. The Chorale rehearses with such concentration before each performance to make sure notes are fluid and not forced. Audience interaction is also helpful. The audience members at each concert and service have been so eager to hear the Chorale sing their hearts out. They smile, they applaud with vigor, and they listen with intensity to every measure of music. Having the members of the Valpo companion tour there in the audience on more than one occasion has been a wonderful addition to faces in the crowd as well. Finally, expression is key. If I see a Chorale members singing with such passion that they become completely absorbed in the music- BAM. It sets the chills into motion.
