Reflections from “The Little Singers of Paris Concert” (Mar 27, 2010)

 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” wrote Charles Dickens.  Technologies elevated living standards and increased material comforts but somehow made people feel empty spiritually.  Tremendous pressure working and living in big cities has so distanced people that they are too busy to understand and care about each other.  Despite all the acquaintances you have in the world, you may not necessarily survive the concrete jungle. 

Interestingly and yet ironically, the more complex the world becomes, the more precious life's basic values are.  Take the electronic products for example: Even though socializing is as easy as a "touch" on the Notebook, internet, or cell phone, it can never compare with sitting down with an old friend chatting about life over a good cup of tea.  There is beauty in simplicity.

Having seen the immensely impressive performances by the Little Singers of Paris and deeply moved by their astoundingly mesmerizing angelic voices, I had an immediate urge to formulate my feelings in writing, not to analyze the concert as a music critic or an academic, but to simply record my thoughts.

What impressed me most was the seamless coordination of the choir members.  All the formation changes and transition arrangements were smooth and swift.  These poised young singers finished their movements with precision.  They clearly understood their positions and the appropriate emotional expressions, including snapping fingers, clapping hands, and harmonizing, etc.  One example was Orlando di Lasso’s masterpiece, “Echo”, whereby four choir members were singing while standing behind the audience, looking at the back of conductor.  Their voices blended with the members on stage perfectly.  Though the professionalism of the four singers was apparently the result of the conductor's training, their own instinct and coordination played a key role in their perfection.  Believe it or not, these were only kids with an average age of 11!

Since our seats were slightly to the side, we could observe clearly the conductor's gestures and commands.  With hardly any smile, she looked very serious.  However, it’s quite amusing to watch all the expressions on her face when she reminded the singers to open their mouths wide, to step out a bit, and to move to certain position, etc.

The choir chose from their repertoire many popular pieces for the program, including folk songs, love songs and nursery rhymes, ranging from "Bahay Kubo" from the Philippines, "Echo" from Italy, "Marussia" from Ukraine, "O Ciucarella" from Corsica, "P'tite Fleur Fanée" from La Réunion, "Tece voda Tece" from Czechoslovakia, and also some Chinese traditional folksongs like “Where is Spring?" and "Girls from Ali Shan".  The arrangements were refreshing and exquisite.  The two a capella pieces by Keith Lancaster, "I Feel Good” and “It’s All Right” and Rossini’s “Duet for Two Cats" truly demonstrated how lively and adorable these children were.  Their style was a far cry from the serious and sacred music of the Vienna Boys' Choir and the Tölzer Knabenchor.

At the very beginning, the choir sang “Happy Birthday” in several languages in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Shanghai Concert Hall.  In the middle of the concert, a few kids stepped forward and said “Thank You” and “I Love You” in Chinese.  They were so cute and the audience was delighted.  It goes to show that this seemingly solemn conductor actually had a light-hearted side.

Except for the piano accompaniment of the “Duet for Two Cats”, all other songs were performed a capella, i.e., without instrumental accompaniment, a highly demanding task for the singers, requiring perfect pitch and superb musical ability.  Their pitch, phrasing, rhythms and harmonic control were amazingly stable, clear and precise.

What a wonderful night!  Children’s voices are the purest and most beautiful in the world.  It cleanses the heart, awakens the passion from the depth of our memory, heals the soul, and reaffirms the beauty of life.  I was so moved tonight that I wanted to share these angelic voices with all.