About The Creation:

“…the Portland Symphonic Choir – well prepared by their director, Steven Zopfi – sang the choruses with focus, restraint, good German diction and careful phrasing through fast contrapuntal sections. They could be powerful, as in the explosive forte at “Let there be Light,” but they also sang behind Keusch and Wager with a quiet delicacy you don’t generally hear from such a large ensemble.” - James McQuillen Oregonian On-line Review-Haydn

“Highlights included the dramatic impact when the chorus proclaimed “und es ward Licht” (“and there was light”) and reveled in delight when it sang “Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes” (“The heavens are tell the glory of God”), and capped the creation story with a triumphant “Singt dem Herren alle Stimmen!” (“Let every voice sing unto the Lord!”). Also, the choir came down to a pillowy soft level that perfectly supported the voices of Wager and Keusch (Adam and Eva) during a section of the third part. That was himmlisch!” – James Bash Oregon Music News Review – Haydn

From an audience member:
“In the last two weeks (my wife) and I have absorbed some of the finest music, performed by some of the finest musicians, all of this very moving-emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually…

Last evening was absolutely no exception, for the depiction wholly of God’s Creation, titled *The Creation* by Franz Joseph Haydn, performed by Portland Symphonic Choir with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Carlos Kalmar rendered this work in all of its majesty and as I type this right now I am re-tearing. Simply thinking about it, feeling it via memory, carts me off to “spiritual” zone. Difficult to explain, all I know is that it is true. I soar.

In the case of Haydn’s *Creation*, thoroughly buoyant (my personal desire in life) and yet the preponderance for me in the day to day seems to hold heavy weights around my ankles, I then relished this work which was jubilant beyond joyous. After all, the creation as recounted in the Book of Genesis and in John Milton’s epic poem *Paradise Lost*, calls for resounding glory and “you gotta be kidding.” Too much! Overwhelming!

Awesome! Beyond beyond! How do you portray such musically? Haydn pulled it off and last night’s performance likewise. I was/am stirred. Full house and standing ovation for what to me constituted worship Godward, brought a celebratory sense, too often feeling alone in my adoration of the Creator.”

About the Symphony of Psalms and the Choral Fantasy:
“The lush romantic sounds of Beethoven meshed with the angular, driving, neoclassical musical signatures of Stravinsky in a performance Saturday night featuring the Portland Symphonic Choir under the baton of Stephen Zopfi.”

“The other highlight of the evening manifested in Beethoven’s popular Fantasia in C minor, with its  echoes of his Ninth Symphony… Part piano concerto part improvisation, and part theme and variations, the vibrant work includes an ambitious piano concerto, here performed with sparkling dexterity by Renato Fabbro. The chorus doesn’t have much to do until the end (it’s so remindful of Ode to Joy),but when the voices finally emerge, we’re in for a  a glorious wall of music.”

-Holly Johnson, Oregon Music News, in a review of the Choir’s performance with the Oregon Symphony of Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms October 2011

Audience comments:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the concert this evening.  Your PSC concerts are consistently among the best ones I attend in the season.  I enjoyed the pairing of the instrumental and vocal pieces.  The combination offers variety as well as a deeper perspective into the style of the vocal pieces.”

“I can see why (you are) fond of the Stravinsky.  It had great power this evening.  It is SO much better live that recorded.  It leapt off of the stage and into my consciousness.  The pre-concert talk brought it into perspective.  (And Stravinsky arrangements of Bach are magnificent. This was another first “live” performance for me.)”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Orchestral Suite and the Choral Fantasy.  They were very strong performances.  I don’t care for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, but I really enjoyed the tune and arrangement in this piece.  It meant more to me. (Given that the purpose or art is to ennoble and teach, I think that the poetry is better; however, Goethe buffs would disagree).”

“Thank you again for the invitation.  I’m looking forward to Wintersong and then Haydn’s Creation.”

–From an audience member in the Stravinsky/Bach/Beethoven concert of October 15

“Under the direction of Steven Zopfi, the chorus’ artistic director, the music emerged songfully, step by step, with beautifully balanced textures, subtle colorings…and some grand, Handelian climaxes…The music spoke with the quiet power of faith assured, squeezing our hand, drying our eyes, drawing us close with its radiant sounds…”

-David Stabler, Classical Music Reviewer for the Oregonian, reviewing PSC’s performance of Brahms Requiem, 2010

“The Portland Symphonic Choir sang with suppleness and soul.”

- Willamette Week

“Members of the Portland Symphonic Choir and Pacific Youth Choir sang [John Adams’] Transmigration choral parts beautifully….After the final traffic sounds faded and the harps and celesta had ascended to heaven, the orchestra and Portland Symphonic Choir paused briefly before whispering Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus. The moment of sunshine after tragedy was magic.”

- The Oregonian

“Steven Zopfi, the choir’s artistic director, hushed the group to an actual whisper in Eric Whitacre’s Sleep. The opening phrases were equally marvelous, a blanket of velvet sonority with the basses in full glory.”

- The Oregonian

Celebrating the Human Spirit

“In Haiti, whilst camping in the middle of the destruction that is Port-au-prince, a visiting doctor commented that she heard snatches of hymns and songs from other campsites around her during the night. People sing – even when there is nothing left to cling to, no job, no home, no family.

“And in extraordinary circumstances, this need to sing when married to GREAT music, can change lives as it did with the performance of Verdi’s Requiem in the concentration camps.

“We are the custodians of this art form. One of the most ancient and one of the most powerful. One that uplifts and celebrates the human spirit. One that is accessible to the accomplished professional and the most rank of beginners. Our music provides refreshment for the battered souls of humanity. Never forget that. Never.”

–Steven Zopfi, February 3, 2010

Summer vacation is full of ways to enjoy the Choir… Summer Sings is a perfect way to spend an evening with friends – singing together!