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- 19/01/11
- A Special Evening of Music
- The ‘very special evening of music’ promised in the programme for Orchestra West’s concert... (more)
Capacity audience, and a concert to remember
Music-lovers from across the county converged on St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Taunton on Good Friday evening, March 21st 2008. The occasion was a concert given by the Amici Chamber Choir and OrchestraWest and the venue, with its magnificently decorated roof, was packed to capacity.
The first part was devoted to JS Bach’s motet “Jesu Meine Freude” in which the choir in various configurations sang unaccompanied except for continuo support provided by David Bridges on chamber organ and Sarah Lovell on cello. Sung in German, it was a brave choice and the exposed writing for individual voices was a test that was heroically undertaken by all concerned. The choral contributions were well made although towards the end the difficulty of the sustained high tessitura for the soprano line was just beginning to show. That said, it was an accomplished and committed performance to which the bone-dry acoustics of the church gave nothing. I would have loved to have heard this performance in Wells Cathedral or Sherborne Abbey where those vast reverberant spaces would have added the atmospheric bloom to which we are so familiar from the many fine recordings available.
After the interval we were given a performance of the Mozart Requiem that I am sure will be remembered for many years. The choir were joined by the superb OrchestraWest and four perfectly matched soloists – Lorna Anderson (soprano), Rhian Williams (mezzo), Rupert Drury (tenor) and Niall Hoskin (bass). From the opening bars to the decay on the last chord the audience was held in rapt attention. The choir were galvanised by the outstanding playing from the orchestra with the brass and woodwind deserving a special mention. The choir entrances were confident and the difficult runs in the writing amazing well done with superb articulation. This was choral singing the likes of which you will not hear better anywhere in the region. The soloists were also in great voice, not over singing but bringing out the text and sublime vocal lines. Lorna Anderson made her part sound effortless while tenor Rupert Drury sang with real poise and distinction.
The final laurels of the evening must go to conductor, John Cole. His outstanding musicianship kept both of these great works moving forward at just the right pace. There was an attention to detail that brought to the fore the spiritual essence central to each piece and his consideration of every dynamic marking allowed each voice, whether vocal or instrumental, to make its worthy contribution. John Cole’s ability to organise these events makes a major contribution to the musical life of the county and I would not like to think that this sustained and ongoing commitment continues without proper public recognition for very much longer. This was music-making of the very highest order and we are all grateful to him for making it happen time and time again – and last Good Friday in particular.
Wayne Bennett
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