May 2006

A REGRETTABLY SPARSE AUDIENCE FOR AN EVENING OF FRENCH MUSIC

Summary:

PETER HARRISON reviews Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies' "Springtime in Paris" at St Margaret's Church, Ilkley (13 May 2006).

Review:

Well, Springtime in France anyway when the choirs treated a regrettably sparse audience to an evening of French music at St. Margaret's Church, Ilkley.

Under the competent baton of Alan Horsey, the concert opened with the little known "Messe Solonnelle" by Louis Vierne, a delightful and typically French work with a stirring opening from the organ to introduce the Kyrie where the voice parts interlock with great effect.

The choirs excelled in the use of dynamics and whilst there were one or two slightly faltering entries in subsequent movements (more self confidence required), the overall presentation fell comfortably on the ear.

Tom Moore then demonstrated his mastery of the magnificent organ - not to mention the church acoustic - Cesar Franck's "Prelude, Fugue and Variation" Op.18 where a light gentle prelude gave way to the bold fugue; undoubtedly a demanding work yet treated with consummate ease by Monsieur Moore and well received in the programme.

Still with Franck, the choirs then gave a well disciplined presentation of "Panis Angelicus" to close the first half of the programme. Not sure why they needed the music for this well-known work and on a personal note, it comes across with better effect using boy trebles - but hey, nothing ventured...

"Hymn of the Nuns", a short organ work by the little known composer Lefeybure-Wely opened the second half of the programme. With the left had playing simple chords to represent the chanting of the nuns in the convent chapel, the delicate flute stop on the right hand gives the effect of sunlight streaming through stained glass windows.

The final item in this gourmet musical evening was Gounod's "Messe Solonnelle for St. Cecilia" with soloists, Una Barry (soprano) Oliver White (tenor) and Chris Gulley (bass-baritone) giving a competent and well-balanced performance in this traditional Mass. Traditional, that is, with the addition of the final movement in which M. Gounod (as with others of his time) sought to protect his employment by including "Domine Salvum" - The Prayer for the King. Apart from a couple of minor glitches in timing and diction, the choirs were on top of the work which was a fitting conclusion to this evening of charming French music.

Just a pity that the audience wasn't twice the size. So please note your diaries for November 25th "A Bach Concert" at Otley Parish Church and December 9th "Messiah" at St. Margaret's.