“Hope and Light in Harmony”
St Andrew’s Church – Paddock Wood
Saturday 23rd March 2019 at 7.30pm
Concert Programme
Requiem in D minor Op.48 by Gabriel Fauré
“Southfield Mass” by James Corse
“Lux Aeterna” by Morten Johannes Lauridsen
Paddock Wood Choral Society
Music Director: Kevin Ashman
The Henham Chamber Orchestra
Leader: Susan Skone James
Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School Choir
Suzy Johnson, Jess Walters, Hannah Roberts
Rosie Waddington, Lily Young, Bibi Thomas
Music Director: Sue Waddington
Soloists
Jim Clements – Baritone
Suzy Johnson – Soprano
This was an imaginative evening of choral music which set side by side Fauré’s well known Requiem, the first performance of James Corse’s “Southfield Mass” and Morten Johannes Lauridsen’s intimate and serene “Lux Aeterna”. There was much to enjoy for the audience and a great deal to challenge the participants – a challenge which they seemed to relish. In all three works, the Henham Orchestra contributed an effective and sensitive level of support. The concert was dedicated to the memory of Jill Marshall, a founder member of the Choir who had died that morning.
The concert began with the Fauré Requiem, always a favourite with choirs and audiences. The choir was in great form and Kevin Ashman drew from them a performance which combined the dramatic with the reflective and offered a rich and diverse sound world which responded to the ebb and flow of the work. Each movement was beautifully shaped, and a soprano line of real distinction successfully captured the ethereal moments. The two soloists, Jim Clements and Suzy Johnson were totally convincing. Jim Clements had all the sensitivity, range and depth of sound which both the baritone solos needed, and Suzy Johnson’s perfectly focused and well-tuned soprano was just right for the Pie Jesu. This was a thoroughly engaging performance which obviously delighted the audience.
The first performance of James Corse’s “Southfield Mass” was very special. With its five movements it is a very accessible work for the listeners but a demanding one for the six young performers to whom it is dedicated. Together with their Director of Music, Sue Waddington, they gave a performance which would be envied by many more experienced choral groups. There was contrast and vitality in the five movements and the part singing was beautifully balanced and clearly articulated. This was an ensemble performance of very high quality and the six young musicians proved powerful advocates for this new composition which hopefully will soon be heard again.
Morten Lauridsen is an established and popular American composer of choral music. Lux Aeterna is a highly personal work written at the time of the composer’s mother’s final illness in 1997 and it carries with it messages of light and hope. It is a complex work with demanding music for all four sections of the choir and they worked hard to manage its rhythmic challenges and to achieve a balanced performance of the choral and orchestral textures. At times the ensemble was a little untidy and some of the entries were a little hesitant. However, it was a brave attempt to move beyond the traditional repertoire for English choral societies and it will I am sure be looked back on as a very worthwhile musical experience.
As always, the success of the evening owed much to the Choral Society’s Musical Director, Kevin Ashman. His outstanding musicianship and his ability to lead and inspire his choir makes for an excellent evening of music making for both participants and listeners.
Marjorie Ayling
23.3.19
St Andrew’s Church – Paddock Wood
Saturday 23rd March 2019 at 7.30pm
Concert Programme
Requiem in D minor Op.48 by Gabriel Fauré
“Southfield Mass” by James Corse
“Lux Aeterna” by Morten Johannes Lauridsen
Paddock Wood Choral Society
Music Director: Kevin Ashman
The Henham Chamber Orchestra
Leader: Susan Skone James
Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School Choir
Suzy Johnson, Jess Walters, Hannah Roberts
Rosie Waddington, Lily Young, Bibi Thomas
Music Director: Sue Waddington
Soloists
Jim Clements – Baritone
Suzy Johnson – Soprano
This was an imaginative evening of choral music which set side by side Fauré’s well known Requiem, the first performance of James Corse’s “Southfield Mass” and Morten Johannes Lauridsen’s intimate and serene “Lux Aeterna”. There was much to enjoy for the audience and a great deal to challenge the participants – a challenge which they seemed to relish. In all three works, the Henham Orchestra contributed an effective and sensitive level of support. The concert was dedicated to the memory of Jill Marshall, a founder member of the Choir who had died that morning.
The concert began with the Fauré Requiem, always a favourite with choirs and audiences. The choir was in great form and Kevin Ashman drew from them a performance which combined the dramatic with the reflective and offered a rich and diverse sound world which responded to the ebb and flow of the work. Each movement was beautifully shaped, and a soprano line of real distinction successfully captured the ethereal moments. The two soloists, Jim Clements and Suzy Johnson were totally convincing. Jim Clements had all the sensitivity, range and depth of sound which both the baritone solos needed, and Suzy Johnson’s perfectly focused and well-tuned soprano was just right for the Pie Jesu. This was a thoroughly engaging performance which obviously delighted the audience.
The first performance of James Corse’s “Southfield Mass” was very special. With its five movements it is a very accessible work for the listeners but a demanding one for the six young performers to whom it is dedicated. Together with their Director of Music, Sue Waddington, they gave a performance which would be envied by many more experienced choral groups. There was contrast and vitality in the five movements and the part singing was beautifully balanced and clearly articulated. This was an ensemble performance of very high quality and the six young musicians proved powerful advocates for this new composition which hopefully will soon be heard again.
Morten Lauridsen is an established and popular American composer of choral music. Lux Aeterna is a highly personal work written at the time of the composer’s mother’s final illness in 1997 and it carries with it messages of light and hope. It is a complex work with demanding music for all four sections of the choir and they worked hard to manage its rhythmic challenges and to achieve a balanced performance of the choral and orchestral textures. At times the ensemble was a little untidy and some of the entries were a little hesitant. However, it was a brave attempt to move beyond the traditional repertoire for English choral societies and it will I am sure be looked back on as a very worthwhile musical experience.
As always, the success of the evening owed much to the Choral Society’s Musical Director, Kevin Ashman. His outstanding musicianship and his ability to lead and inspire his choir makes for an excellent evening of music making for both participants and listeners.
Marjorie Ayling
23.3.19