Mirror of Perfection review

In tune with the forthcoming London Olympics, Valentine Singers presented a programme of British works by Vaughan Williams, Finzi and Blackford last Saturday evening.  The Singers were joined by the Jericho Ensemble and soloists Elizabeth Menezes (soprano) and John Llewelyn Evans (baritone).

Gerald Finzi’s Dies Natalis is a cantata for string orchestra and tenor or soprano soloist, and was not performed at the Three Choirs Festival until 1946 having been delayed by the outbreak of the Second World War. The delightful Elizabeth Menezes and the Jericho Ensemble provided the rich textures and long melodic lines for a very satisfying, lyrical performance of this evocative work.

The Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs ­- a collection of George Herbert texts - range from the melodic to the uplifting.  John Llewelyn Evans gave a fine performance, particularly in Love bade me welcome, and Valentine Singers were equally excellent whether accompanying the soloist in the final bars of I got me flowers or in the rousing final movement, Let all the world in every corner sing.

Richard Blackford’s Mirror of Perfection was written in the mid-1990s, his inspiration being the poetry of Saint Francis of Assisi. This work brought the Singers, both soloists and an augmented Jericho Ensemble together for settings of seven canticles.  From Canticle of the Furnace with its complex rhythmic patterns and angular lines from the string players to the calm and melodic final movement Canticle of Peace, the composer is urging the listener to confront our “age of spiritual emptiness and cultural decline”.

Directed by the excellent Christine Gwynn, Valentine Singers never fail to give the audience total commitment and a very professional performance. It is worth noting that they are offering three opportunities for you to join with them to discover (or rekindle) your love of singing at Choral Taster Workshops on the 6^th, 13^th and 20^th of July – phone 020 8504 1261 for details.

John Buckmaster

Brilliant review if you get the meaning!

This free performance of the famed Valentine Singers from London, was a hit!

Their alternating one-hour programme (a Capella) was the sweetest .... absentees were wrong

Thank you, ALBERT, for this wonderful invitation.

Until next week in the rehearsal, to fly with FULL CHEST in there ....

greetings to everyone from JOS, the portraits tractor.

Google translate I fear! I used that for the poster too, I wonder what it said!

CONCERT REVIEW

Valentine Singers

St Gabriel’s Church, Aldersbrook

Saturday 12 November 2011

Valentine Singers chose music from England and Austria at St Gabriel’s Church, Aldersbrook, presenting a varied programme of works by Britten, Bruckner and Tallis among others.

The concert opened with Charles Wood’s Oculi omnium, sung from the back of the church, and this was followed by Thomas Tallis’s Canon. While singing the Canon the choir processed to the front, using both sides of the church, resulting in a magical surround-sound effect for the audience. The first half of the concert continued with two wonderful performances of Bruckner motets, Ave Maria and Locus iste, which were full of expressive and well-controlled singing. Haydn’s Little Organ Mass closed the first half. This short Mass is a delight both to sing and listen to and the Valentine Singers did not disappoint. Special congratulations go to soprano Clare Gailans for her first class solo in the Benedictus.

Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb opened the second half – a rather eccentric work which the Singers performed with great skill, save a slight lack of incisiveness in the rhythmically complex second section. I am a big fan of Geoffrey Burgon’s works, but feel that his Nunc Dimittis needed a trumpet part in order to provide some contrast in sound and texture.

Frances, Emma and Peter Quintrell, Audrey Cassidy, Anthony Harrison and Andrew Taylor sang solo parts – all of them should feel proud of their contribution. The excellent David Sheppard was organist for the evening, and as usual the skills of conductor Christine Gwynn resulted in an enjoyable evening.

John Buckmaster

Rejoice! It's nearly Saturday

Really looking forward to this!

Concert Review of Judas Maccabaeus

This review was submitted to The Ilford Recorder but did not make the issue for W/E 10.04.11

As with most works by Handel, his oratorio Judas Maccabaeus oozes quality. The performance by Valentine Singers in the comfortable surroundings of St Gabriel's Church, Aldersbrook matched that quality from beginning to end.

Handel sets the scene with an overture and then continues to tell the audience the story of the second century B.C. Maccabean revolt through a series of recitatives, airs and choruses. Of the five fine soloists Jane Streeton and Paul Sheehan stood out with their assured delivery and unfailing quality.

The Jericho Ensemble was also excellent throughout.Wonderfully crisp and responsive, they laid a sure foundation for the soloists and chorus.

Valentine Singers is a fine choir - from their sensitive opening chorus to the joyous final Hallelujah, Amen (sung from memory) they displayed all that is good about choral singing, and their commitment and professionalism was evident right through this long, taxing oratorio. Conductor Christine Gwynn is not one to shirk a challenge - all credit to her for again bringing a major work to Redbridge, and with such style.

The next Valentine Singers concert - Music from Stage and Screen - takes place on Saturday 2nd July in Barnardos Church, Barkingside - pencil it in your diary!

John Buckmaster

Interesting concert

Some news from Laura Pease of a concert which VS members might be intrested in


Thursday evening at St Martin in the Field
American choral music including both versions of 'O nata lux', Songs and Sonnets and 'Sure on This Shinng Night' amongst other short items by other US composers

Tickets still available at St Martins web site stmartin-in-the-field.org


Thanks Laura

Samuel (Sure on this shining night) Barber

Not sure if anybody realised that 2010 is the centenary of Samuel Barbers birth. There is an interesting article about his life and music in today's Guardian (19th November) by the British pianist Leon McCawley
You can read it at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/nov/18/samuel-barber