TWO REVIEWS OF THE CHORAL CONCERT 2006
'One of conductor's finest achievements'
Review of Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra at Chichester Cathedralby Robin Gregory, Eastbourne Herald 12 May 2006
Chichester Cathedral is the most welcoming of all southern cathedrals. So it is no surprise to find it packed with music-lovers for Eastbourne’s finest musical export on Saturday 29 April.
The Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Eastbourne College Choral Society and the Cavendish School Chamber Choir were joined by the Chichester Prebendal School Choir and soloists Alison Pearce (soprano) and Martin Elliott (baritone) for a programme of music by Elgar, Mozart, Dvorak, Rutter and Parry. Eastbourne’s and Chichester’s Mayors and their ladies were there for a sparkling occasion; and one only wished the event could be repeated here in Eastbourne.
Elgar’s rather odd stop-start arrangement of the National Anthem was followed by his Cockaigne Overture, which celebrates London. This deceptively difficult work showed that the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra is enjoying a golden period: the strings sang and the brass blazed. Then, in Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate, Alison Pearce’s soprano echoed round the furthest extremities of the building, caressing Piper’s tapestry and Asquith’s candle-holders, seeking out the latter’s hidden masterpiece, the processional Cross. Her artistry showed what a joyous work this can be on the right lips.
Dvorak’s Te Deum, unusually for so tuneful a composer, never seems to catch the heart as so much of his work can do. The evidence suggests he wrote it in a hurry; but on this occasion the two soloists, the orchestra and choral forces gave it their all. It was recognisably Dvorak, and one could ask no more.
After the interval, the evening’s main work, Rutter’s Mass of the Children, received a magical performance. This moving piece from 2003 avoids the treacle which sometimes swamps his populist writing and, on this occasion, revealed itself as of the highest quality: forty minutes of humanity and praise. From the opening hymn sung by the children, through the Fauré-like Sanctus and Benedictus, to the emotional Agnus Dei and Finale, this was music-making at its finest. It was followed by Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens from 1887, which brought the evening to a resounding conclusion as choir, orchestra and mighty electronic organ celebrated Voice and Verse.
Conductor Graham Jones held the huge forces in a strong and benign grip. Astonishingly he has been in Eastbourne College’s Music Department for nearly thirty years; and the town is privileged that he is so committed not only to the school where he works, but to the community in which it operates. This Chichester concert was one of his finest achievements, aided by the orchestra’s leader (Lisa Wigmore), assistant chorus-master Sion Parry, pianist Jane Mansergh, organist David Force (who also wrote the excellent programme-notes), Cavendish Choir director of music Jane Humberstone, and ESO concert manager John Thornley, who managed in addition to sing in the choir, to arrange the transport and to charm everyone he met.
Performance of great power
Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, Chichester Cathedral
by Graham Hewitt, Chichester Observer, 4 May 2006
The incomparable but rare beauty of the mature soprano voice made the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Concert an event to cherish.By any standards, Alison Pearce gave an exceptional performance of great dramatic power with her interpretation of Mozart’s Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate. This strong and brilliant soloist was the undoubted highlight of the evening. With seemingly effortless ease coupled with masterly precision and confidence, her singing of the demanding work held the Chichester Cathedral audience completely.
John Rutter’s Mass for Children was sung by the combined choirs from Eastbourne College Choral society, Cavendish School and Chichester’s Prebendal School with flair and remarkable skill. The purity and beauty of the singing of the Kyrie and Agnus Dei rightly deserved special praise for the children of Prebendal School. Full praise is due to the School’s music department and particularly Sylvia Lock for their teaching skills.
A dramatic drum roll from the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra heralded the joyous and energetic singing of Dvorak’s Te Deum by the combined choir. The performance was enhanced by soprano solos by Alison Pearce who was sensitively partnered by Martin Elliott (baritone). This work used the ideally matched tremendous talents of the singers and musicians to the full creating the vividness and atmosphere that only a live performance can achieve.
It was not only the choral works which made this concert so enjoyable. Conducted by Graham Jones, the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra’s superlative playing of Sir Edward Elgar’s overture Cockaigne from In London Town was packed with atmosphere and lyricism.
This orchestra clearly inspires its members to give music full of excitement and sparkle.