portative

Leading from a portative keyboard in front of the orchestra, he brought a beautifully blended sound from the 16 voices of the chorus, rich in dynamic variety and always sensitive to Bach’s piquant dissonances.

The largest musical instrument depicted in the Gubbio paneling is a portative organ, just to the right of the door, and the different lengths of the organ’s pipes are clear reminders of the link between the measured proportions and the musical harmonies that the instrument produces when played.

Kahane conducted from an inaudible harpsichord and, in the middle section, a barely audible portative organ.

They stopped, with an unexpected grace-note on the portative, and Lancelot said: “Your voice is good. I’m afraid mine is getting rusty.”

Kent Tritle, who conducts three “Messiah” performances with two different choruses at Carnegie Hall next week, was a comforting presence at the portative organ; Philip Smith handled trumpet solos with blazing assurance.