A thoroughly enjoyable trip around the world
Saturday night saw the latest summer concert by Paddock Wood Choral Society, under the baton of their Music Director, Kevin Ashman. As is usual, the summer concert was a light hearted affair entitled “around the world in 80 minutes” which gave them licence to flit around the globe with a musical mixed bag.
Opening the concert was John Farmer’s madrigal “Fair Phyllis”. The choir produced a good balanced sound and it was an enthusiastic start to the evening. Next was an extract from Haydn’s Creation. The section “The heavens are telling” is a tricky section as it demands strong robust singing which was very competently provided by the choir, brilliantly backed up by the three solists, Julie Buchanan, Angus Morton and James Corse and expertly held together by Kevin Ashman’s conducting.
After a challenging spoken fugue by Ernst Toch, we were introduced to George Harrington, a young Tuba player. Occasionally, a concert produces a combination of an exceptional piece and an exceptional player and this was one such occasion. The piece in question was “Fnugg” (Norwegian for something small, or a snowflake) written by Oystein Baadsvik (b 1966). It uses the unusual performance skills of lip beats and multiphonics (singing into the instrument as well as playing it). The result was a virtuoso performance unlike anything most of us had ever heard and if the rapturous applause was anything to go by was much enjoyed by all. As well as playing, George gave a very passionate and articulate introduction to the piece and is clearly a talented player to watch.
From Norway to the Russian Federation with the beautifully sung “song of the Volga boatmen” a traditional song for male voices, with the men of the choir proving that are able to produce a good piano sound.
Those of us who have had the pleasure of hearing the tenor Angus Morton sing before would have looked forward to his performance of the well know Spanish song “Granada”. He didn’t disappoint. He sang with such passion and rubato, lingering on the ends of phrases like a professional.
From a beautifully sung Persian love song, “Gole Sangam” to the first half finale – “va pensiero” from Verdi’s dramatic opera, Nabucco. The choir were at home here, producing a forceful sound and impressive crescendos. It is clear that Kevin Ashman has worked hard at getting the choir to produce a good range of dynamic sounds. Credit also goes to accompanist Paul Jeffery, who was able to reproduce the rich Verdian orchestra on the piano with such skill.
The second half opened with a swing “The rhythm of life” from Sweet Charity sung with punchy authority and a lively swing. Then it was back to the tuba of George Harrington, producing a superb rich sound in Edward Gregson’s “Allegro giocoso”. The piece demands the tuba and piano to be in strict time together in a rapidly modulating
piece and readily showed off the ability of both soloist and accompanist. George’s final piece was another virtuoso showpiece, Nat McIntosh’s “The warrior comes out to play” which again employs multi performance techniques including multiphonics, emulation of electric bass and guitar sounds and DJ scratch effects. All this adds up to the most extraordinary sounds and can only leave one in awe and smiling.
Then off down under for a Maori lullaby, “Hine e Hine” sung beautifully by the sopranos and altos and leading into an Australian melody which, we were reliably informed by the conductor, was likely to be the only time the piece has been heard in the UK. It was great fun and the only time I have ever heard “Skippy the bush kangaroo” in 4 part harmony.
Back to the UK for the final 2 pieces. First a charming rendition of “Speed bonnie boat”, the Scottish folk song and then finally to a piece written by Paddock Wood Choral Society bass, James Corse. A fabulous piece with intense harmonies proving that the talent runs deep within the choir.
This was a hugely enjoyable evening that featured some fine choral singing by the whole choir and soloists and the discovery of a great young tuba player. It will also be remembered as the final concert for the society’s great accompanist, Paul Jeffery. Paul has supported PWCS through his playing and conducting for over 21 years and will be a very hard act to follow.
Saturday night saw the latest summer concert by Paddock Wood Choral Society, under the baton of their Music Director, Kevin Ashman. As is usual, the summer concert was a light hearted affair entitled “around the world in 80 minutes” which gave them licence to flit around the globe with a musical mixed bag.
Opening the concert was John Farmer’s madrigal “Fair Phyllis”. The choir produced a good balanced sound and it was an enthusiastic start to the evening. Next was an extract from Haydn’s Creation. The section “The heavens are telling” is a tricky section as it demands strong robust singing which was very competently provided by the choir, brilliantly backed up by the three solists, Julie Buchanan, Angus Morton and James Corse and expertly held together by Kevin Ashman’s conducting.
After a challenging spoken fugue by Ernst Toch, we were introduced to George Harrington, a young Tuba player. Occasionally, a concert produces a combination of an exceptional piece and an exceptional player and this was one such occasion. The piece in question was “Fnugg” (Norwegian for something small, or a snowflake) written by Oystein Baadsvik (b 1966). It uses the unusual performance skills of lip beats and multiphonics (singing into the instrument as well as playing it). The result was a virtuoso performance unlike anything most of us had ever heard and if the rapturous applause was anything to go by was much enjoyed by all. As well as playing, George gave a very passionate and articulate introduction to the piece and is clearly a talented player to watch.
From Norway to the Russian Federation with the beautifully sung “song of the Volga boatmen” a traditional song for male voices, with the men of the choir proving that are able to produce a good piano sound.
Those of us who have had the pleasure of hearing the tenor Angus Morton sing before would have looked forward to his performance of the well know Spanish song “Granada”. He didn’t disappoint. He sang with such passion and rubato, lingering on the ends of phrases like a professional.
From a beautifully sung Persian love song, “Gole Sangam” to the first half finale – “va pensiero” from Verdi’s dramatic opera, Nabucco. The choir were at home here, producing a forceful sound and impressive crescendos. It is clear that Kevin Ashman has worked hard at getting the choir to produce a good range of dynamic sounds. Credit also goes to accompanist Paul Jeffery, who was able to reproduce the rich Verdian orchestra on the piano with such skill.
The second half opened with a swing “The rhythm of life” from Sweet Charity sung with punchy authority and a lively swing. Then it was back to the tuba of George Harrington, producing a superb rich sound in Edward Gregson’s “Allegro giocoso”. The piece demands the tuba and piano to be in strict time together in a rapidly modulating
piece and readily showed off the ability of both soloist and accompanist. George’s final piece was another virtuoso showpiece, Nat McIntosh’s “The warrior comes out to play” which again employs multi performance techniques including multiphonics, emulation of electric bass and guitar sounds and DJ scratch effects. All this adds up to the most extraordinary sounds and can only leave one in awe and smiling.
Then off down under for a Maori lullaby, “Hine e Hine” sung beautifully by the sopranos and altos and leading into an Australian melody which, we were reliably informed by the conductor, was likely to be the only time the piece has been heard in the UK. It was great fun and the only time I have ever heard “Skippy the bush kangaroo” in 4 part harmony.
Back to the UK for the final 2 pieces. First a charming rendition of “Speed bonnie boat”, the Scottish folk song and then finally to a piece written by Paddock Wood Choral Society bass, James Corse. A fabulous piece with intense harmonies proving that the talent runs deep within the choir.
This was a hugely enjoyable evening that featured some fine choral singing by the whole choir and soloists and the discovery of a great young tuba player. It will also be remembered as the final concert for the society’s great accompanist, Paul Jeffery. Paul has supported PWCS through his playing and conducting for over 21 years and will be a very hard act to follow.