The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh

The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh has taken choral music to a new level with Steve Hackman’s new arrangement of choral work The Music of Bob Dylan. The work premiered in January at the popular indie-rock venue, Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale. Conducted by Robert Page Music Director Matthew Mehaffey, The Mendelssohn Choir is known for singing classical choral works. This time, however, the Choir has channeled their inner folk musicians to sing Hackman’s arrangements of Bob Dylan favorites. 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.”