On An Overgrown Path: Britten – music does not exist in a vacuum

Link: On An Overgrown Path: Britten – music does not exist in a vacuum.

I feel fortunate to have played in the chamber orchestra within the large orchestra for the Southeastern US premiere of Britten's War Requiem in the mid-nineteen sixties. I was in college, and came home to Atlanta early enough to participate in the performance at Emory University conducted by William Lemonds.

It made a powerful limpression on me. The Wilfred Owen poetry haunted me for months ("I am the enemy you killed, my friend."), as well as the vocal settings. Jean Lemonds was the splendid soprano, and Fltecher Wolfe, conductor of the Atlanta Boy Choir, sang the baritone solos impressively.

The Atlanta Symphony brass played the big movements powerfully, and the chapel resounded--yet another fine acoustic space.

Comments

[Davei]

I haven't lived in Atlanta for quite a while, but I do know that Dr. Lemonds retired from Emory years ago. You might try the Emory Alum Assoc., or the Westminster Choir College Alum Assoc.

He was an inspiring conductor. In Atlanta he often went out on a limb to perform very complicated and huge pieces, such as the Britten War Requiem and the Mahler Eighth Symphony, but he usually made them work.

Thanks for the note.

[John Clem]

One of the most memorable experiences of my high school years--1963-68--was a choral clinic conducted by William W. Lemonds in the Shenandoah Valley in the late 60s. Please advise regarding Dr. Lemonds, any information, please.

[Pliable]

Richard, thanks the mention and link. I've reblogged you with a link at http://theovergrownpath.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-am-enemy-you-killed-my-friend.html

Keep up the great blog,

Pliable