MCP and Steve Hackman Rock Out in The Music of Bob Dylan

The Mendelssohn Choir and Steve Hackman took choral music to a new level on Thursday night with the world premiere of Hackman’s new choral work The Music of Bob Dylan at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale.  MCP, normally known for singing classical choral works, channeled their inner folk musicians as they sang Hackman’s arrangements of Bob Dylan favorites.  The first half of the concert was conducted by Robert Page Music Director Matthew Mehaffey, and opened with another world premiere by composer Jocelyn Hagen.  The main event, however, was The Music of Bob Dylan.   As Pittsburgh blogger Wavy Alabaster writes, “Listening to 70+ voices, with a small instrumental foundation, sing “Like a Rolling Stone” lyrics, lyrics I live by, was riveting. The power of the words was matched with a powerful physical presence…The choral bodies swayed to the rhythm like a rolling wave in open waters…There was an ease to listening inspired by the fun being had on stage. With every collective gasp, I met Dylan’s music for the first time all over again.”

Read what the critics are saying!

• The music of Bob Dylan, served with a classical twist – The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle
• Mendelssohn Choir Rocks Bob Dylan with Steve Hackman at the Helm – Wavy Alabaster
• The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Lance Jones
• Concert review: Mendelssohn Choir premieres Bob Dylan oratorio – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette