Choral society pulls out all the stops (June 2010)

BRITTEN'S The Company of Heaven and Mozart's Requiem, performed to a packed house at St Mary's Church, Henley, last Saturday by Henley Choral Society, combined as a fitting tribute to the memory of their treasurer Paul Langguth, who died so tragically late last year.

True to form, HCS elected for quality in all departments: four fine soloists; top-notch professional freelancers courtesy of the Chameleon Arts Orchestra; and a chorus impeccably prepared by music director Will Dawes.

Britten's piece came first. Aptly described by the programme notes as a "musico-dramatic meditation on the subject of angels", it was for many a leap into the unfamiliar. But, know it or not, one was completely captivated by Britten's extraordinary and distinctive compositional signature and by the quality of the readings, singing and orchestral accompaniment.

The work's seductive cocktail of spoken and sung text had some breathtaking moments. Soprano Mary Bevan's entry in Christ, the Fair Glory was simply exquisite, as was her account of Heaven is Here, superbly supported by the choir and underpinned by pulsating string triplets.

The quality was echoed by tenor Julian Forbes, whose voice, so redolent of Peter Pears (for whom the tenor part was written), ignited a A Thousand Thousand Gleaming Fires. He was an inspired choice. If the contralto, Ksynia Reynolds, and bass, Philip Tebb, were denied singing parts, they excelled in the readings of the selected texts that punctuated the piece. And ever present, at times rudely dominant, at others more discreet, was the pounding of the timps, an ominous military intervention designed to temper the lyricism and optimism of much of the piece. It was particularly powerful in the Funeral March for a Boy, memorable also for its Mahler-like string interlude and languorous chromatic passages.

A gloriously uplifting finale, prevailing against the undercurrent of foreboding, came in the form of a familiar hymn, Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, with its triumphant Alleluias. Here the choir's unabashed confidence, conviction and professionalism shone through.

More of the same was to infuse the second half as the most divine of all requiems unfolded with a momentum and energy that remained undiminished until the end. The power of Mozart's death-bed inspiration is unremitting, even more so when you are confronted with a veritable wall of singers, which is what is produced by HCS's stepped staging.

This allows every section of the choir to enjoy equal prominence, doing wonders for the balance and clarity in the more complex movements. The opening Rex Aeternum set the tone with its forceful opening chorus, followed by the Kyrie's urgent tempo and clearly discernible contrapuntal lines, carrying through to a highly dramatic rendition of Dies Irae. Will Dawes's intent was by now firmly established, and there was no let-up from then on.

The four soloists proved an extremely accomplished quartet in the Tuba Mirum, Recordare and Benedictus. They also paired off successfully in Recordare - soprano with tenor, contralto with bass - their voices uncannily well matched. Lacrymosa was a great showcase for the chorus, notably the magnificent scale up to the forceful climax and its powerful closing Amen. Most moving of all was the Agnus Dei, where the choir's controlled ensemble and expressive ebbing and flowing brought a lump to the throat. The final fugue, Lux Aeterna was not a place for the slow-witted or faint-hearted. It drove on remorselessly until the baton came down.

This was a triumph for Will Dawes and all those who took part. There is now a long wait until the choir's next event on Tuesday, December 14, the Christmas Carol Concert in St Mary's Church, when they will be joined by the choir of Trinity School.

Anyone interested in becoming a member should contact Wendy Hawkins, membership secretary, on (01491) 576929. And who would not want to, after this? Or if you can offer financial support, please call patrons secretary Josie Peddie on (01491) 411147.

Trevor Howell

Source:
Henley Standard
Date:
Fri, 25/06/2010