CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
WYCKOFF, NJ
August 23, 2009
In the words of an old Dinah Washington song........"what a difference a
day makes......" Anthony Kearns sang his second concert of the weekend,
in the lovely Cornerstone Church, on Sunday afternoon. The church was
bright, sunny, and air-conditioned. I'm sure it made quite a difference to
our performers, especially our tenor. Even though Anthony sang
magnificently on Friday night in MA, it was so much more comfortable to
sing, on Sunday. And hearing the same concert twice in 3 days is a good
thing, because you hear different things the second time. Different nuances.
Songs may make a bigger impression the second time. Anthony was in
beautiful voice on Sunday afternoon as well, but it gave me a chance to
listen again to some of the songs I didn't mention before.
Two songs especially, remain in my memory. Faure's sublime
"Apres un Reve" was ethereally sung, and the floating quality of
Anthony's voice expertly suggested the dream-like state of the
young man in the song, who doesn't want to wake from the vision
of his love. And a century away, "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"
from Les Miz, was filled with the pathos which pervades the entire
score, and the seamless line of Anthony's voice expressed the
feelings of the singer at the loss of so many, while he is still alive.
It was marvelously compelling. The Thomas Moore melodie, "Oft in
the Stilly Night" was wonderfully sung, and the more I hear it, the
more I love it. I had also forgotten to mention "She Mov'd Through
the Fair,"with a lovely arrangement by David Wray. It's a famous
song, but no one sings it the way Anthony Kearns does, and it's
hauntingly beautiful.
There are always funny songs, and patter songs at a Kearns concert,
and this tour is no exception. With his expressive face and voice, he
made "Kitty Me Love," and "The Palatine's Daughter" highlights of the
program. Speaking of the songs of "lost love" or unrequited love,
Anthony reminded us that.."I didn't lose the girl, I married her" in this
one. The Mario Lanza chestnut "Because" has probably been sung at
more weddings than "Here Comes the Bride." And in the past, I haven't
been all that fond of it. But this weekend, Anthony sang it with more
power, and such beauty and feeling, that I might actually decide I like it.
That's another benefit of hearing the same concert more than once.
You might have a bolt of lightning strike you, and change your thinking!
The two arias, the Tchaikovsky piece, and the two German lieder were
all as gorgeous as before, and it was such a thrill to hear them again.
David Wray was again a terrific partner at the keyboard. But the best
thing about hearing the same concert twice in three days is......
when the tenor is Anthony Kearns, it just doesn't get any better.
And as Mae West used to say....."Too much of a good thing, is wonderful!!!"
Safe home, Anthony and David. And THANK YOU.
Berta Calechman
MJ Kittle
