• Spring Concert - 19th May 2001, starting at 7.30pm

  • Tickets: £8.00.

  • Venue: Heathfield Community College.

Programme:

 

Mozart	Ave Verum Corpus
Vaughan Williams	Benedicite
Finzi	Eclogue (for piano & orchestra)
Mozart	Requiem

 

Soloists:

• Rachel Shouksmith, soprano.
• Suzanne Joyce, mezzo-soprano (standing in admirably for an unwell Katy Bingham-Best)
• Rupert Jennings, tenor.
• Adrian White, bass.

Press Review:

The Heathfield Choral Society with the Lyric chamber Orchestra and soloists under the direction of Brian Newman gave a memorable Spring Concert last week. The well balanced programme included in the first half Vaughan Williams' 'Benedicite'; Finzi's 'Eclogue' and Mozart's 'Ave Verum' as a link to the great 'Requiem' (K626) which comprised the second half.

The 'Benedicite' is a full blooded panegyric with contrasting light and shade, well projected by the choir. In the quieter section Suzanne Joyce's mezzo soared effectively over the ground swell of the chorus. Gerald Finzi's 'Eclogue' rightly given as a tribute to the centenary of his birth is a contemplative reflection of his love for the English countryside. Scored for piano and string orchestra, it was movingly performed by Gavin Stevens and the orchestra.

Mozart's 'Requiem' confronts good and evil. From the solemn opening, a prayer for peace, it is clear that Mozart is on the side of the angels, but his sense of drama expressed powerfully the darker side of eternity. Choir and orchestra attacked the 'Dies Irae' with the venom it demands. Impending judgment is expressed in the 'Tuba Mirum' eloquently introduced by the bassoon with bass soloist Adrian White, and, in turn, the three other soloists, Rupert Jennings, Suzanne Joyce and Rachel Shouksmith.

The beautiful sequence that follows ('Rex Tremendae' and 'Recordare') was well presented, initially by the choir, and then by the well balanced soloists and orchestra. Of the string accompaniment we could have pleaded with Shakespeare 'That strain again it had a dying fall' after the passion of 'Domine Jesu' and the contrite lyricism of the 'Hostias' the recapitulation ends on an upbeat note, and we were left grateful to the performers for enabling us to share the celebration of genius.

Stephen Croft

Pictures:

Here is a photo taken during the evening - click on the image to see a larger version in a new window. (If you're going to print an enlargement, ask for a full resolution copy.)

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