University of Virginia Library

Loach To Lead Orchestra
In Tribute To Beethoven

Friday, the thirteenth, brings no ill
omens this week, for misfortune shall be
exercised by the Spirit of Beethoven.

Tonight at 8:30 the University Orchestra
and Glee Club and the Hollins College
Chapel Choir will honor the composer in
his bicentennial year, ending their program
containing Brahms' "Ave Maria,"
and Verdi's "Stabat Mater," with Beethoven's
"Mass in C."

Composing the Mass in 1807, Beethoven
interrupted his work on the Fifth
Symphony to provide a full-scale liturgical
composition for Prince Esterhazy. The
work, which springs from Haydn's Masses,
contains highly effective moments of great
poignancy.

Especially beautiful, according to conductor
Don Loach, is the Benedictus, which features
the solo quartet, accompanied by the chorus
and orchestra. For this performance the total
ensemble of nearly 150 musicians will be used.

Four accomplished singers comprise the
quartet. Charlene Peterson, soprano, appears
frequently as soloist with the Robert Shaw
Chorale and the Cleveland Symphony, and at
the Marlboro Festivals. One season she toured
as an "adopted" member with the Trapp
Family Singers.

Oscar McCullough, baritone, has sung often
under Mr. Shaw, appearing as soloist in
performances of Bach's St. John Passion and
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. For several
seasons he has been featured soloist in the
Candlelight Concerts at the Governor's Palace
in Colonial Williamsburg.

Sara Fishback, contralto, and John Roberts,
tenor, are well-known to Charlottesville
audiences through performances with the
University Singers, the Glee Club, and the
Oratorio Society.