KESWICK CHORAL SOCIETY SPRING CONCERT, 2008
St John's Church, Saturday 5th April 2008
Review reproduced courtesy of The Keswick Reminder, April 11th, 2008
The
brightly printed programme for the concert at the parish church of
Keswick St John promised much, and the concert lived up to it
abundantly.
If the post-interval Faure Requiem was the most substantial offering,
there were many other delights - Ian Hare's Choral Society goes from
strength to strength. Cesar Franck's ever-popular "Panis Angelicus"
gave an excellent start, memorably embellished by the cello obligato of
Tina Macrae, and the harp, played by Fiona Austen.
Mike Town was his usual imperturable self at the organ, later on contributing a fine performance of Mushel's engaging Toccata.
Choral highlight of the first half was conductor Ian Hare's own
composition "The Vale of Keswick". This piece had an "Ancient and
Modern" connotation, containing lyrics by
pre-Wordsworthian writers John Brown and John Dalton as well as by
8 year old writers Francesca Carpenter, Hannah Watson and Georgina Bell
from St Herbert's School. Their attractive poems were given equally
attractive musical settings by Ian Hare, and sung so well by a singing
group from the School.
The composer was less merciful to the Choral Society who had some
challenging entries to make, given the sometimes complex accompaniment
- very well played by Cilla Grant. But the singers did well, especially
in the atmospheric second movement. The dramatic first movement
reflects 18th century ambivalence about the wildness of the Lake
District's crags and torrents - awesome or awful? The work needs to go
on the road, where it would settle down very well.
Bass soloist Geoffrey Gray sang Britten folk songs in fine style, and
Karen Wilson's radiant soprano won all hearts. Handel's "Spring" was
pure euphoria, while "All in the April Evening" received a simple
unaffected delivery that added to the poignancy. Again, excellent
accompaniment.
Both soloists contributed much to the Requiem as did Sue Johnson's
Derwent Ensemble, though, surprisingly, the Introit was marred by some
instrumental untidiness. But the choir blended very well.
What else can I mention? The sopranos in the lovely climatic phrase in
the Cantique that preceded the Requiem; tenors and altos so nicely
restrained in the Offertory; Hosanna to shake the walls of Jerusalem,
set up by the horns; a wonderful "Pie Jesu" followed by an "Agnus Die"
that was a trifle quick for me; a truly lovely "In Paradisium" with a
most telling and original organ accompaniment.
Well sung! Well played!
On behalf of the church Valerie Montgomery expressed an appreciation felt by all. And deservedly so.
Andrew Seivewright
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KESWICK CHORAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS CONCERT, 2007
Crosthwaite Church, Wednesday 19th December 2007