Masterful Chanticleer gives it all

Akron Beacon Journal - October 4th, 2007

by Elaine Gureglan

Give it all you've got. That could be the motto of Chanticleer, the all-male vocal ensemble that on Tuesday night sang its way from the Renaissance through the current day.

For some loudly enthusiastic audience members t E.J. Thomas Hall, the popping exbuerance of Camptown Races couldn't be beat. Then there were the Renaissance pieces, whose overlapping polyphonic lines were etched out with the fine clarity of a calligrapher's pen. These masterful singers executed the Renaissance master Josquin des Pres' El grillo with lightning fast cricket effects.

Chanticleer has employed 90 different singers during its 30-year existence in San Francisci. For this return to the Tuesday Musical series, where it lsast performed in 2000, the dozen current members were greeted like old friends. It would be impossible not to take to the members of this superbly polished and warmly personable group, who took turns introducing the pieces thay sang.

After carrying the audience away on a wave of good will Tuesday night, Chanticleer's singers lingered in Akron on Wednesday for master classes arranged by Tuesday Musical. The Firestone High School Madrigal Singers, the Copley High School Concert Chorale and a newish, all-male vocal group called Nuance from the University of Akron each had a chance o perform two compositions. Performers, teachers and interested visitors gathered at the auditorium of the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

Chanticleer's mohawk-wearing assistant music director, Matt Oltman, was the genial master of ceremonies for what was to be a focused but rambunctious two-hour class.

Chanticleer sang first, to get things started. After settling into seats in the auditorium, they listened first to the Firestone students.

"Phenomenal! You're in high school?" a Chanticleer singer complimented them after they sang two selections.

Then it was time for specifics. The pros coached the students on how to make Italian sound more like Italian (emphasize the double consonants so they pop). And Oltman pushed them to sharpen their expression through broader dynamic range.

"Has anyone seen "The Sopranos?" he asked. "When they're tortured, do they sing mezzo piano ? Put a little more Chianti in your blood!"

Chanticleer is a youthful looking ensemble, and its singers were especially good at gauging when to be diplomatic and when to loosen up the students and get results with humor. The students in the otherwise well-prepared Copley chorale shuffled their feet when Oltman asked them if Palestrina (a composer they performed) was famous when he was alive.

"He was like Justin Timberlake," Oltman answered, ensuring that they'll never,ever forget that fact.

Adding to the productive but fun atmosphere was the enthusiastic way Chanticleer's singer jumped in to comment after the students sang. Pointing out a dissonance of two notes a half-step from each other, a singer said appreciatively to the students, "That is a crunchy moment." After seeing a pro savor a detail, students may pay closer attention, too.

The audience ate up Nuance's performance, which started strong and could get even better by following Chanticleer's advice. They'll come across only as high -energy as their weakest link, so pay attention to that, the pros suggested.

Nuance's extroverted leader, Jesse Lange, set an outgoing mood, selling Kiss Him Goodbye with the unexpected and hilarious accompaniment of a beat-boxing singer.

One of the pros got whoops and cheers when he advised Nuance's singers, "It's kind of fun to see if you can be sexier than the soloist." That's all the permission it took for the group to crank the excitement up a notch. Afterward, Lange, who is a teaching assistant in chorale conducting at UA, said , "They're world-renowned and at the top of their game. Just being near that kind of professionalism is inspiring."

Chanticleer information can be found at www.chanticleer.org For performance information on Nuance, visit www.uasingers.com or call the UA School of Music at 330-972-7590. For information on upcoming concerts by the Firestone Madrigal Singers, call 330-873-3400. For information on the Copley Concert Chorale, call 330-664-4822.