A rare music performed in a rare sound.
Such a characterization of New York Poly phony — an all-male vocal quartet — is but one way to capture its extraordinary, at times ethereal, rendering of a range of a cappella repertoire.
In its Colorado debut at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral on Friday, the group brought a deep, resonant sound quality to bear on an absorbing program that kicked off with a polished and perfected reading of “Sicut lilium,” Antoine Brumel’s setting of Solomon’s “Song of Songs.”
The well-matched foursome — countertenor Geoffrey Williams, tenor Geoffrey Silver, baritone Scott Dispensa and bass baritone Craig Phillips — continued with Josquin des Prez’s “Absalon fili mi.”
A leading Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, des Prez is considered by many to be a master of polyphonic vocal music, and the young singers articulately revealed his nuanced harmonies.
After intermission, New York Polyphony continued with a unified rendering of Maurice Durufle’s “Notre Père,” and an enchanting reading of Francis Poulenc’s post-World War II “Quatre petites prières de Francois d’Assise.” Throughout, Williams’ sculpted, soaring sound was ideally set against the calibrated alliance of voices in the lower registers.
Other highlights included two lush, poetic Schubert songs and Silver’s warm tenor in Guillaume de Machaut’s rondo “Puis qu’on oubli.”
Another Machaut song, “Ma fin est mon commencement,” was followed by a contemporary setting of the same title. Commissioned this year by New York Polyphony, Jackson Hill’s rhythmic, retrograde rendition of “Ma fin est mon commencement” is based on Machaut’s rondo, but avoids his voice-crossing to effect a cleaner, more modern sensibility.
In lieu of program notes, the singers took turns introducing each work, or set of works, delightfully revealing their distinct personalities and enlivening the experience as a whole. They also sang from a variety of configurations, including the middle of the center aisle, which created both interest and intimacy.
As an encore, New York Polyphony delivered a tender reading of “Sweet and Low.” Indeed, the quartet — founded just three years ago — demonstrates remarkable artistic maturity. Not only is each singer skilled in the breadth and subtleties of his particular range, but their voices blend into a well-balanced whole.
Sunday churchgoers to St. John’s will have a free opportunity to hear the classical ensemble. The St. John’s concert series continues Friday with St. Martin’s Chamber Choir.
