If music is the universal language, then the universal instrument is the human voice. Nothing reaches across the waters like the sound of singing, especially choral singing.
At least that was the thought Friday as the Smetana Men's Choir from Prague journeyed to Logan, Utah, to offer up a collection of liturgical numbers, Czech songs, light classical fare and a couple of jaunty, surprise offerings in English.The sound of the choir was hauntingly similar in its high-mindedness and restraint to the male sections of the Tabernacle Choir. Reverential, controlled, devotional, the amateur choir sidestepped the military vigor found in so many men's choirs to offer a depth of human voice suited to reflection and enlightenment.
By contrast, USU choral director Bonnie Slade used two of her own groups to set the stage for the Czech choir with a program of light-hearted fare. It was a nice contrast between youth and age.
The Women's Chorus led with Bach's duet from "Cantata No. 78" but quickly scurried into the entertainment side of things with two American folk tunes and a barbershop "Sentimental Journey."
The University Chorale also began with a strong work, Rossini's "E Gondolieri," but then launched into Peter Schickele's "Knock Knock Cantata," written by Schickele's imaginary friend PDQ Bach. The extended introduction and life history of PDQ Bach was too long by 10 minutes, but once the music was under way, things picked up.
The humorous piece was bright and fun - featuring tuneful renditions of jokes and punch lines in mock classical style. (Example: "What is the question to which the answer is `Dr. Livingston, I presume?' It's `What is your full name, Dr. Presume?' ")
The belly laughs were long and the atmosphere so giddy, in fact, that Czech choir director Michael Keprt said he wished his group had gone first so they didn't have to follow all the chuckles. He apologized that his group would not be half as amusing.
Both of Slade's groups were well-coached and impressibly strong in fundamentals. The pronunciation and tone placement were wonderfully mature, for instance, which made many present wish for a little more meat and a little less desert in the selection of numbers.
Still, the evening belonged to the Czech singers. And they capitalized with a good dozen a cappella numbers that moved the audience through a dozen moods. Ranging from Latin chant and Piccard's "Lord's Prayer" in English to novelty songs in various languages, the 30 singers seemed most at home - naturally - when singing the choral works of Bedrich Smetana, founder of Czechoslovakia's national music.
After several international folk songs - pulled from Italy, Russia and points in between - the Smetana Men's Choir brought the program to a close with " 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple."
After a stop in Salt Lake City on Monday night and Tuesday, the choir will move back to the coast through Reno and San Francisco.
Then it's back home, where the men have day jobs to attend to.
For the Smetana group, it's choir music as an amateur sport. And well-worth the price of a ticket.