Worthing Philharmonic ChoirIn association with The Alassio Concert Orchestra Conducted by Marcus Martin Sunday 3rd December 2006 at 2:30Assembly Hall, Worthing Festival FavouritesA programme of 'lighter' music including John Rutter, Richard Rogers and Weber Soloist: Brian Sewell (Bassoon) Sunday's Assembly Hall concert, by the Alassio Concert Orchestra, under conductor Marcus Martin, began with Humperdinck's "Hansel & Gretel" Overture from an opera inspired by Grimm's fairy tale. From the wonderfully subdued brass opening through to the very end, we knew this afternoon would be enjoyable and aurally satisfying. Wolf-Ferrari's Jewels of the Madonna featured racy playing from Graham Mayger (flute) and Phillida White (piccolo). The orchestra followed this with the acrobatic Dance of the Tumblers (Rimsky-Korsakov). In four movements from Tchaikovsky's Ballet suite, Sleeping Beauty, we enjoyed many exquisite sounds, particularly from oboe, harp and glockenspiel. Bach's Wachet Auf is traditional seasonal fare and guests, Worthing Philharmonic Choir, joined the orchestra in a stylish and musical rendition. We then heard a premiere, Eine Kleine Nightmusic. The choir's resident arranger, Rosemary Panchen, has recently added words to Mozart's orchestral masterpiece, the vocalisations similar in style to the late, great, Flanders & Swann. This may not be to everyone's taste but it was highly entertaining and amusing, particularly the references to Mills and Boon. Unlike its cousins flute, clarinet and oboe, we rarely hear the bassoon as a featured solo instrument. Most unfortunate this since, in the right hands, the King of the woodwind section is a thing of utmost beauty. Soloist, Brian Sewell, combined wonderful sonority and immaculate technique with a little humour in his virtuoso performance of Weber's Andante and Rondo Ungarese. The second half of the concert began with an amusing parody of Rossini's Barber of Seville overture by Gordon Jacob. Did this perhaps include some fleeting reference to Mozart's Magic Flute since I'm sure Papageno and Papagena played some part in Jacob's re-working? Ketèlbey's Bells across the Meadow oozed nostalgia and "Friday Night is Music Night" was represented by Toytown Trumpeters (William Davies) and Shooting Star (Sydney Torch), featuring frenzied activity for trumpet duo in the former and strings in the latter. Celebrating Advent Sunday, the Choir performed two works by John Rutter. The popular Shepherds' Pipe Carol's cracking tempo preceded the more sedate, less well-known but thought-provoking The Very Best Time of Year. Marcus Martin impressed us throughout with assured direction and informative, sometimes witty introductions - even some of his jokes! The Choir and orchestra united with the audience in the finale, a selection of songs from "Mary Poppins". The final chorus (and the whole concert) was, indeed, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Jim Hurdwell |
Worthing Philharmonic ChoirConducted by Donovan Brown Goring United Reform Church, Shaftsbury Avenue Goring Saturday 9th December 2006 at 2:30COOL CLASSICS FOR CHRISTMAS
Organist: Alex Chaplin
Seasonal extracts from Messiah, exerts from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat by John Rutter.
Organist: Alex Chaplin
This year, Worthing Philharmonic Choir chose to adopt a new format and a new venue (Goring URC) for their seasonal celebrations. Traditional Carol Concerts abound at this time of year so they elected instead to perform music inspired by Advent. Saturday afternoon rather than the Friday evening before Christmas admirably suited these changes. To complement their own contributions, the Choir welcomed guest soprano, Jane Sherriff and the young organist and pianist, Noel Charles. (Although aptly named for the Season, multi-talented Charles told me that his parents actually named him after Mr Coward!) Conductor, Donovan Brown, began by inviting both audience and choir to join in the Advent carol, O Come, O Come Emanuel, from the Fifteenth Century. Following this lusty rendition, we listened to Gabriel's Message before, once again, joining forces with the Choir in Of the Father's Heart Begotten, another Advent favourite. The Choir, with Jane Sherriff, then delighted us with the lesser-known, Magnificat, by John Rutter. Full of wonderful harmonies and tunes, this work deserves more frequent performance.. Ms Sherriff's pure sound suited this work and blended perfectly with the Choir. All, including Noel Charles on piano and the audience, clearly enjoyed the experience. Rutter's arrangement of J S Bach's Zion hears the Watchmen's Voices, complemented by Charles's exquisite organ accompaniment, began the second half of the concert in fine style. Bach's Christmas Oratorio and Handel's Messiah are masterpieces of great length and the latter encompasses far more than the story of Christ's birth. We heard short extracts from both with much to commend, particularly Ah, My Saviour (Bach) featuring Ms Sherriff and wonderful echo effects from Charlotte Rockall. Charlotte is a recent and greatly valued recruit to the Choir which warmly welcomes other talented choristers, particularly tenors. (www.worthingphilharmonicchoir.org.uk) Between these enduring and powerful classics, Jane Sherriff, accompanied by Donovan Brown, delighted us with her soprano solos: - The little road to Bethlehem (Head), A Hymn to the Virgin (Rubbra) and Ave Maria (Caccini/Mercurio). "Cool Classics for Christmas" enjoyed warm applause from an enthusiastic audience which again joined the Choir in the rousing finale, Joy to the World. Jim Hurdwell |
