“The winds of change represent what we do,” DiOrio said. “NOTUS is cutting edge.”
NOTUS performed Wednesday in Auer Hall. The program was directed by DiOrio and conducted by Michaella Calzaretta.
NOTUS is an ensemble of 28 musicians in the Jacobs School of Music that specializes in performing contemporary choral music.
DiOrio is an assistant professor of choral conducting at the music school. In addition to directing and conducting NOTUS, he is also an award-winning composer.
Calzaretta is a second-year doctoral student working under the instruction of DiOrio.
Her conducting at the concert was her doctoral recital, and she spent about 3 1/2 weeks working with the group.
DiOrio said he has enjoyed watching Calzaretta flourish and bloom as a conductor.
“One of the greatest things a conductor can do is give up the podium,” DiOrio said.
Calzaretta said it has been a wonderful experience to work with the group because it operates on a high level, which also makes conducting more challenging.
“It requires the conductor to be on his or her toes every second,” Calzaretta said.
The group conists of students studying voice and other musical interests such as composition and conducting.
The students must learn their music independently, Calzaretta said, which means they are expected to know the notes of the pieces before they come to rehearsals.
DiOrio said the group has some of the best singers in the music school.
“Working with them is like working with a professional chorus,” DiOrio said.
The repertoire consisted of “Bright Mass with Canons (2005)” by Nico Muhly, “Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten (1977)” by Arvo Pärt and “A.M.D.G. (Ad majorem Dei gloriam): Seven settings of Gerard Manley Hopkins (1939)” by Benjamin Britten.
The three pieces are by composers of three different generations, DiOrio said.
Muhly’s piece combines many musical textures and layers, Calzaretta said, and has a fabulous organ part.
“Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten” begins and ends with the low sound of a chime ringing out in the hushed auditorium. Unlike the other pieces, there are no vocals, but only instrumentals from a small orchestra.
The piece was inspired by Pärt’s love of Britten’s music. Pärt became enthralled with Britten’s work, Calzaretta said, and wanted to meet the composer. However, Britten died before he had the chance to meet him. He wrote his composition to express his mourning.
“It’s so sorrowful that you can feel the loss that Pärt felt,” Calzaretta said.
The last piece was by Britten and included seven poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins. The piece is not performed often, Calzaretta said, because it is difficult.
Calzaretta said she was excited to share their hard work with the audience.
“The work requires a lot of endurance and focus,” Calzaretta said. “It finally feels solid and ready to be presented to an audience.”
