'PASSION' DRIVES
ISU'S ZIELINSKI

Richard Zielinski (left) directs a rehearsal of the Masterworks Chorale in the Center for Performing and Fine Arts at ISU.

By MARK EDWARDS

ISU music professor Richard Zielinski agrees that he is a man of "passion." The intensity with which he directs the Masterworks Chorale seems to confirm his unbridled enthusiasm for a "Passion" of another kind.   

He admits that virtually all of his energy and attention are squarely focused these days on J. S. Bach’s master work The Passion according to St. John.  The 120 members of the Chorale are laboring under Zielinski’s critical eye and ear in preparation for a one-of-a-kind performance depicting the final days of the life of Jesus Christ April 7 at Tilson Auditorium.

The Masterworks Chorale was formed about two and a half years ago when the Terre Haute Choral Society and the ISU Chorale decided to join forces with an eye on performing larger works.

The weekly rehearsals are now punctuated with emphatic direction, commentary and vocal demonstrations from Zielinski, who feels that Bach’s Passion pieces may evoke the greatest emotional response of all his work.  The Passion, which finds its roots in the Latin patior, depicts the "suffering" of Jesus Christ through the events of Passiontide in Christian tradition. Bach built his work in 1724 on the well-established tradition of depicting the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus in a spectacular musical presentation which was held together by a dramatic narrative and a character called the "Evangelist."

"This piece by Bach was written during his first year at his new appointment at St. Thomas in Leipzig, Germany," Zielinski said. "In some ways it’s a huge piece that will last about two and a half hours, and at that time, it was done during the church service. It’s on a large scale that we use orchestra, chorus and several soloists."

The "Evangelist" in this production is a singer with a wealth of experience in the role. Kurt Hansen of Northwestern Univeristy is due to arrive in Terre Haute for the dress rehearsal.  That will be the first time all of the disparate elements of the massive production will actually come together. Until that time the director often uses e-mail and phone calls to communicate with some singers and orchestra alike.

Hansen is a voice instructor who has performed as a tenor soloist in Europe and the United States specializing in oratorio. Additional soloists include John Koch, a member of the voice faculty at Illinois State University, as well as Thomas Potter, David Mannell, Colleen Davis and Peggy Balensuela, all of Indiana State University.

"We have 29 choral pieces, chorales—which are like hymns—and then choruses throughout this whole Passion play," the director emphasizes.  "Not only is the Masterworks Chorale performing, but we are adding 55 more voices. We should have 160 singers on stage, a chamber orchestra — most of these are players from the Terre Haute Symphony — about 19 orchestra members, and then the six soloists in front. It will be a very dramatic performance for those at Tilson."

Dottie Landis of Terre Haute says the experience of singing on stage surrounded by voices is an experience one does not have in smaller choirs.

"The sound that comes out of 120 people is incredible!" she said. "You get chills sometimes because of the beautiful music we put out. Every week is an experience with Dr. Z; you learn something. Every single week it’s like having a voice lesson."

Zielinski believes that one of the most important facets of the special production is the cooperative nature of the effort that combines several different people from the local universities, churches and surrounding communities. Ann Bennett of Marshall, Ill., says she cheerfully began making the trip to Terre Haute after learning of the Chorale through someone in her church choir.  The retired English teacher says the experience with the group has enabled her to travel and cross paths with people she might otherwise not have met.

"Our trip that we made to Austria last summer really cinched some of the friendships because we spent so much time together, particularly in some very intense rehearsals," Bennett said. "It’s been interesting and fun to be part of a group that has a range of ages from high school students and college students to adults and retired people . . . I would have hated to miss the experience."

"When I look at the choir it’s very rewarding for me to see the different age groups, the different types of people getting together and focusing on a very positive experience and a very positive message," Zielinski observes between rehearsals. "That doesn’t happen all the time in our world today. It’s something I think the community is going to benefit from, and I know it’s a wonderful addition to Indiana State University. I’m really thankful for that."

Since the production is entirely in English, the story will not only be dramatic, but easy for a general audience to follow. The singers function much like a Greek Chorus which comments on what is happening and even adds "crowd" utterances in what is referred to as a turba chorus.  This adds greatly to the dramatic effect of the production on a large scale. Participants enthusiastically throw themselves into these roles during rehearsal with the full encouragement of the always-animated director.

Zielinski emphasizes that despite the religious theme of the work, the production has great value to Christian and non-Christian alike.

"We haven’t really approached this just by insisting that everyone be from a church setting," he said.  "I really think the lessons being taught through Jesus’ life and by Bach musically is something we can all learn from."

 It’s ironic that Bach’s early work almost didn’t make it to the 21st Century, according to Zielinski. It seems that his employers didn’t recognize a genius when they saw one.

"He was actually the third choice for the appointment at Leipzig," he said. "We think of Bach as this absolute giant in the world of music. But many in the church and town considered Bach a mediocre musician. Bach sort of faded during the classical era during Mozart and Handel’s time, but thanks to Felix Mendelssohn there was a Bach revival and The Passion according to St. John survived."

Early ticket sales have been going at a brisk pace and those wishing to experience the unique event are encouraged to reserve a place at Tilson Auditorium April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be reserved by calling 237-4590. The price is a modest $8 with a group rate of $5 for 12 or more.

March 21, 2001