For Choral Singers, a place to drop in and Vocalize
Read the article that appeared in The New York Times written by Tammy La Gorce
Putting Their Mark on a Masterwork
Read the article that appeared in The New York Times written by Kevin Coyne
From Victorian to Streamlined
Read the article that appeared Dec. 24, 2005 in The New York Times written by Allan Kozinn
Reviews
"...Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem reaches beyond its original intention to touch generations yet to come with the sheer scope of his creativity...Certainly in the performance by the Masterwork Chorus at Drew, the audience was presented with a feast."
From Bernie Abrams, May 10, 2007
"In a pure demonstration of vocal virtuosity, the 100 performers...treated the ears of a large audience to the glory of voices joined in singing challenging, ethereal music."
"In the hands of the Masterwork Chorus, the Vespers is an act of musical devotion that ends in triumphant celebration."
Recorder Community Newspapers - December 7, 2006 - Bernie Abrams, Contributing Writer
RACHMANINOFF VESPERS
"Masterwork is consistently on the top in terms of both quality and musical interest."
"His [Megill's] approach to "Messiah" has never been a cookie-cutter rendering of the numbers but rather a full overlook of the score from a different angle each year. His level of taste and nuance should serve as a template to those conductors who feel that the only way to bring a fresh light on the score is to produce a wayward rendition of one or another of its selections."
"However, like a master chef, Megill subtly highlights and accents sections causing the listener to perk up and pay attention."
"After this performance, I would have gladly stayed to hear it again from the beginning."
Recorder Community Newspapers - January 5, 2006 - Don Martone, Contributing Writer
HANDEL'S MESSIAH
"Masterwork Chorus an impressive group of talented singers. I was struck by the intensity each member brought to their singing. Masterwork moves from strength to strength and now stands as a chorus of soloists forming a formidable whole . Megill's belief in this music and the chorus' sensitivity to the text (and their excellent diction) evidenced much sweat and rehearsal.....This tribute is to both Dr. Megill and Masterwork Chorus for their current performance level ."
Don Martone, Recorder Community Newspapers - November, 2005
"Marking a half-century in business this season, the Masterwork Chorus - the community-derived choir based in Morristown - has performed "Messiah" since 1957, with holiday performances in Carnegie Hall since 1961. On Sat. afternoon, Masterwork continued its Carnegie "Messiah" tradition with an accomplished, appealing performance before 1675 listeners...Conducted by Masterwork's music director, Andrew Megill, Sat.'s performance was a thoughtful rapprochement between modern concern for historical verisimilitude and the participatory choral tradition...From the somber opening "symphony" on, the orchestra played with dynamic spirit...The Masterwork Chorus...rose to the occasion, with such big moments as "For Unto Us a Child is Born" wonderfully rhythmic and fully joyous..."
From the review in the NJ Star Ledger by Bradley Bambarger - December, 2004
"This concert marked the debut of Masterwork's Chamber Choir and with them Bach's Cantata No. 4 received an almost perfect performance...The mixed chamber choir was wonderfully balanced and exhibited superb articulation. When I looked at my notes jotted down during the performance, I saw I had written "Wow!!!"...Masterwork under the leadership of Andrew Megill is presenting concerts which stimulate and impress in their range of musical and intellectual content."
From Don Martone, The Recorder, May 16, 2002, and The Madison Eagle, May 16, 2002
Funding has been made possible in part by funds from the Arts Council of the Morris Area through the
New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts
© Copyright 2010 The Masterwork Chorus · PO Box 2167, Morristown, NJ 07962-2167 · 973-455-7008