By Town Crier Staff Report
Los Altos composer Sondra Clark’s “Requiem For Lost Children,” inspired in part by the Polly Klaas tragedy, is being reprised in a concert of the San Jose Symphonic Choir and Orchestra. The concert is scheduled for 8 p.m., Saturday, in St. Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown San Jose.
Since the requiem’s premiere in November 1996, reported in a Town Crier cover story, “Much has happened to both the work and to me,” she said last week. “Inquiries and accolades continue to follow the piece throughout the United States, from England and Israel. All who hear the Requiem claim to be very moved by the music and its message of hope in the face of despair over the loss of children.”
Clark said she is excited about the upcoming concert. “The current San Jose Symphonic Choir numbers over 100 voices and sounds just magnificent,” she said. “I attended a rehearsal last week and was so impressed with their luxurious sound and splendid mastery of the difficult, modern score. A good share of the credit goes to their immensely gifted conductor, Leroy Kromm.”
She said, “The opening (of the requiem) has the harshest sounds because I began the work with clusters and dissonances depicting the horror and outrage aroused by the death or taking of an innocent child. I told the choir, ‘This music is ugly, because anger is ugly; so take out your anger in this part, and then, as the music progresses, the cleansing and healing will progress, too.’ They laughed when I added, ‘Of course, you don’t want to make it too ugly - you are musicians, after all.’”
Following the 1996 performances, Clark said her Requiem was well received.
The Los Altos-based Cantabile Children’s Choir, founded by Signe Boyer and led by Peggy Spool, will again be singing the children’s parts.
The three and a half years since the premiere of the requiem, have been productive for Clark, including the premiere of a new video on her music, “The Wonderful Piano Compositions of Sondra Clark,” produced by Wayne Picciano of Los Altos for his award-winning cable television “Grand Piano Show.”
Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for students and seniors, and a $3 discount for advance purchase. To order tickets or for more information, call (408) 879-9709 or visit: www.sanjosesymphonicchoir.org.
