Latest Reviews
- 16/11/09
- Rembrance Sunday
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FAULTLESS PERFORMANCE
The annual Remembrance Sunday concert was held last... (more)
- 06/02/08
- Mega Watts!
- Last Sunday in Kings College Chapel proved that we in Taunton do not have to travel far af... (more)
Rembrance Sunday
FAULTLESS PERFORMANCE
The annual Remembrance Sunday concert was held last Sunday evening at King’s College Chapel attended by the Lord Lieutenant and other civic dignitaries. It was an all Mozart programme featuring the Solemn Vespers K339 and the great Mass in C-minor. Once again, the performing honours went to the Amici Chamber Choir, OrchestraWest and versatile line-up of professional soloists conducted by John Cole.
The standard of performance was exceptionally high with the choir on absolutely cracking form. All sections distinguished themselves although special mention must be given to the sopranos who provided a wonderful sheen to the top vocal line. This was a big difficult sing by any standard and Amici made it sound as if it was totally within their comfort zone. The tone, intonation, vocal attack, ensemble and sheer stamina was impressive throughout. Indeed the standard of singing was so high that you had to remind yourself that this was home grown material from down the road.
Soloists Lorna Anderson and Mary Morgan (sopranos), Rupert Charlesworth (tenor) and Niall Hoskin (bass) performed in both works. The two female voices had most to do and were well-matched when together in the Domine Deus of the Mass. Lorna Anderson had some stunningly difficult coloratura which she handled with assurance and poise. The famous Laudate Dominum of the Vespers was performed with great elegance and beauty.
OrchestraWest once again distinguished themselves with excellent playing that never swamped the vocal line. Indeed, by putting the wind section sideways on John Cole may have solved the problem of overloud woodwind that has plagued performances at King’s in the past. And so to the conductor: as you might have surmised by now, it is the opinion of this reviewer that John Cole delivered a performance of extraordinary quality. The tempi never dragged and the ensemble was razor sharp. The choir were drilled in every dynamic and it all held together marvellously. My only quibble is that, such is the ambition of Amici, I cannot see how it can sustain its identity as a chamber choir. Theirs is now a professional sound capable of almost anything in the repertoire.
Wayne Bennett
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