Christchurch, St Leonards-on-Sea, Saturday 4th July 2015
The last time I saw the choir in action was in an exuberant performance of Carmina Burana. Today’s concert was intended to be a complete contrast – it certainly was!
In the sumptuous Anglo-Catholic surroundings of Christchurch, St Leonards, the choir presented a concert which was rather unusual. Firstly it began at 5pm and was preceded by tea and cake. Secondly the choir sat in a less formal arrangement, around the piano and their stalwart accompanist, Francis Raynor.
Groups of Items were introduced by members of the choir and the audience was requested to refrain from applause until the end of the concert. The music was therefore allowed to proceed in a manner which created a more reflective mood.
The first four sections presented contrasting settings of the texts Ubi caritas, Ave verum, Ave Maria and O magnum mysterium. Each section began with Gregorian chant sung by three male soloists and the conductor. Composers of other settings included Durufle, Arcadelt & Victoria. Contemporary works came from Lauridsen, Mawby & the musical director himself, Marcio da Silva.
It was also very good to hear three short songs by Da Silva which formed part of the final, mixed, section ending with two pieces by Eric Whitacre. The longest and most demanding, for audience and performers, was the most avant-garde piece of the evening, When David heard.
This complex work sets a very short text in a number of ways, contrasting sound and silence, dynamics and texture, broken and smooth lines and much repetition with minimalist tendencies. In the Christchurch acoustic the performance was highly effective. It was very moving, especially with the background to the piece being explained as a response to the death of the son of the composer’s friend.
It is difficult to select other highlights but mention should be made of the septet, made up of soloists and members of the choir – Lin Westcott, Barbara Cornish and Alexander McMillan – who gave a marvellous performance of Ave Verum by Imant Raminsh, a composer I would have liked to have learned more about, being a new name to me.
The soloists Sarah Rowley, Victor Soares, Phil O’Meara & Henry Bennett gave some beautiful performances. I did, however, feel that the men were less comfortable with some of the chant, which is a different discipline in itself. However the male voices of the chant gave a lovely contrast to the mixed forces at work in the other settings.
Hastings Philharmonic Choir was once again on top form. They have shown a high level of control and depth of feeling in this music. To create a programme which does not rely on exuberance and flashiness is a risk today. How refreshing to be able to sit back and be transported to a higher realm as this sustained, luxurious and highly emotive music works its magic. What’s next?
For more information on the choir visit www.hastingsphilchoir.org.uk
Stephen Page