On the fairly mild evening of December 17, 2024, our ESME Singers, conducted by Julia Chalfin, returned for our third appearance on the Munich Rathausbalkon (town hall balcony) to entertain the enthusiastic Glühwein-sipping audience gathered below at the Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt. We performed well-known carols, from “Joy to the World”, to “Deck the Hall” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, as well as a few songs from our recent winter concert: the toe-tapping “Pan-a-Pan”, (once again accompanied by the Resident Alien Big Band’s Elaine Cole on flute and Thomas Eingartner on snare drum), the whimsical “Fum Fum Fantasy”, and the rousing choral version of Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run” (accompanied by our Singers unique percussionist Annie Janssen, keeping us on the beat with a box of Tic Tac mints lent to her by fellow alto Carly Russell!). We also shared the stage with a native Munich singer-songwriter, Ela Marion, whose unique numbers provided a nice contrast to our sound. A fine time was had by all, and we were so honoured to once again make the cut in a such prestigious and beloved Munich Advent tradition. Special thanks go to the Singers hard working soprano Eva Netzhammer for organizing this noteworthy event, a perfect way to cap off both a successful season and year for ESME! We wish you all – our members and our fans – the happiest of holidays, and look forward to a well-deserved break before launching back into rehearsals in January 2025.
On a crisp and rainy night in December, the magnificent Künstlerhaus am Lenbachplatz was ready and waiting for our guests who wanted to escape from the burden of everyday life, be enchanted by music, have fun and embrace the Christmas spirit at the 2024 Winter Concert “Underneath the Stars”. Blessed by its particular historical ceiling, the night sparkled with talent, joy, and community. After the audience settled in, as per tradition in all such performances, the anticipation for an harmonious mix of Singers, Orchestra, and Big Band, was immediately apparent.
The concert opened with the Singers, who established a serene and magical flavor with their first numbers – Fum Fum Fantasy, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Underneath the Stars, and Pat-A-Pan. Underneath the Stars by Kate Rusby showcased the Singers’ accomplishment in both the emotional depth and the technical complexity of the piece.
Under Julia Chalfin’s skilled direction, the Singers captivated the audience and drew them into the evening’s magical ambiance.
Right after the Singers, Resident Alien Big Band, under the charming Davy Kazan, had an added flavor to the concert when it comes to jazz. With pieces like A Big Band Christmas and Nothing from Nothing, the band had the audience tapping their feet and swaying to the beat. Kazan’s love for jazz shone through and was a complete performance testament to their commitment and excellence. An interplay of instruments and active arrangements creates the physical liveliness to the classical evening, making it different.
At the beginning of the second part of the concert, the Singers presented more songs including Howard Blake’s Walking in the Air and Carly Simon’s Let the River Run.The hall was filled with energy with the combination of voices and the accompanying instruments. In Bogoroditse Devo by Rachmaninov, Chalfin’s well-groomed stamp was evident in every note. The second half continued with Vivaldi’s Gloria in Excelsis Deo, performed by orchestra and singers. The piece already had the promise of melodies and harmonies calling for the audience, reminding that destiny was still to be explored musically. After Gloria, another feast awaited the audience who were already captivated by the magic of the music. Under the baton of Prof. Dr. M. Orhan Ahiskal, the Orchestra played with impressive precision and passion. It played every piece that distinguished the lively Pizzicato Polka by Johann Strauss Jr. and the evocative L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2, by Georges Bizet, in graceful and dynamic measures. The concert concluded as the orchestra delivered a great rendition of Music from Frozen. The beloved melodies resonated so deeply that many in the audience couldn’t resist singing along, their voices blending softly with the orchestra.
What made Underneath the Stars unique was that it made all of us feel like we belonged. ESME has taken a new turn into the offering of multiculturalism and the collaboration of over 30 countries into its diverse ensemble of musicians. So what happens next? We will continue to announce ESME’s future performances. The Spring Showcase on 10 May 2025 will definitely bring some excitement to our loyal audience, those who may have missed the performances, and everyone who loves music.
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