{"id":5310,"date":"2019-07-08T09:29:12","date_gmt":"2019-07-08T08:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=5310"},"modified":"2019-07-08T12:03:48","modified_gmt":"2019-07-08T11:03:48","slug":"hastings-philharmonic-rossini-petite-messe-solennelle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=5310","title":{"rendered":"Hastings Philharmonic: Rossini, Petite Messe Solennelle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christ Church, St Leonards, Saturday 6 July 2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Whether by accident or design, I know not, but Hastings Philharmonic\u2019s choice of Christ Church St Leonards for their performance of this later work of Rossini\u2019s, Petite Messe Solonnelle <\/em>couldn\u2019t have been more fitting.\u00a0 The background of this ornate church, with imposing altar beneath the colour of the stained glass east window and frescos gave Rossini\u2019s singular religious work its proper setting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Before the performance, as the choir filled their places, I wondered about the positioning \u00a0and its effect on the balance of sound. The tenors were to the immediate left of conductor, Marcio Da Silva, with the basses opposite, on his immediate right.\u00a0 The ladies were around and to the front of him, \u00a0the three instrumentalists placed within the arc the choir formed.\u00a0 However, any concern I had was blown away within the first few bars of the choirs opening Kyrie<\/em>. \u00a0It was beautifully and arrestingly sung.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The balance was absolutely right and the choir maintained that equilibrium throughout the performance. \u00a0I was very much impressed by the choirs\u2019 attention to dynamics.\u00a0 Much of the work requires choir and soloists singing separately but within the same piece. These were performed particularly beautifully, expertly and seemingly\u00a0 effortless. \u00a0\u00a0Marcio Da Silva\u2019s direction and conducting certainly draws the best from choirs and performers. \u00a0What was most impressive to me was that the men, few in number – 9 tenors and 8 basses – were heard as strongly, as softly, as effectively and harmoniously as the outnumbering women.\u00a0 Well done men!<\/p>\n

The soloists were superb. Tenor, Alberto Sousa, sang\u00a0 Domine Deus<\/em> magnificently.\u00a0 Themba Mvula\u2019s deep baritone gave\u00a0 Quoniam<\/em> an excellent rich quality.\u00a0 The Crucifixus<\/em> and O Salutaris<\/em> were sung by Soprano Helen May beautifully and faultlessly.\u00a0\u00a0 Of the Soloists, the highlight of the evening was the duet Qui Tollis<\/em> where Helen May was joined by mezzo-soprano, Beth Moxon; it was enchanting to hear and watch.\u00a0 I particularly liked Albert Sousa\u2019s expressive engagement with the music and singing. It gave an operatic element which Rossini would have approved.<\/p>\n

Of course, the musical accompaniment of this work is distinctive. Though it can be described as \u2018lumpy\u2019 it must require much concentration, artistry and expertise.\u00a0 Frances Rayner, piano, Petra Hajduchovia, harmonium, and Stephanie Gurga, chamber organ, managed all these and more.\u00a0\u00a0 I have heard the Preludio religioso<\/em> described as \u2018odd\u2019;<\/span> but their rendition was remarkable by their superb artistry.<\/p>\n

Apparently, Rossini said that he composed this piece con amore<\/em>. \u00a0It was encouraging and delightful to hear and see that all involved put this performance together with that same love.\u00a0 A hugely enjoyable evening. Thank you.<\/p>\n

Rev Bernard Crosby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christ Church, St Leonards, Saturday 6 July 2019 Whether by accident or design, I know not, but Hastings Philharmonic\u2019s choice of Christ Church St Leonards for their performance of this later work of Rossini\u2019s, Petite Messe Solonnelle couldn\u2019t have been … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5310"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5310"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5310\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5315,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5310\/revisions\/5315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}