Llewellyn Choir
Conductor: Rowan
Harvey-Martin
Accompanist: Sue Reid
Belconnen Arts
Centre, Sunday 19 July 2015
Review by Len Power
‘There is no theme to this concert,’ warned conductor, Rowan
Harvey-Martin, ‘except what I found in my music cupboard’. She has a pretty interesting cupboard,
judging by the variety of music performed by the Llewellyn Choir at the Belconnen
Arts Centre.
The Llewellyn Choir was founded in 1980. It was originally named the School of Music
Community Choir but was renamed in 1990 in honour of the founding Director of
the Canberra School of Music, Ernest Llewellyn.
The choir performs several concerts each year.
Intriguingly, we had been promised animal sounds at this
concert. The choir commenced with the 17th
Century ‘Contrappunto Bestiale Alla Mente’ by Adriano Banchieri, an amusing
work in Latin and Animal. It was
followed by ‘The Three Ravens’, an English folk ballad published in the 17th
Century. From there the selection ranged
from Swedish works, some sea shanties, British traditional songs, American show
tunes and two versions of ‘Sure On This Shining Night’.
The choir’s performance of Swede, Hugo Alfven’s 1942 ‘Aftonen’,
(Evening) set to a poem by Herman Sätherberg – a brooding, atmospheric piece - was
particularly impressive. The sea
shanties, ‘The Drunken Sailor’ and ‘The Arethusa’ saw the choir at its most
relaxed, clearly enjoying the rousing spirit of both songs. Amongst the British songs, ‘The Banks o’ Doon’,
based on a poem by Robert Burns with a new melody by American, Donna Schultz,
was nicely sung with an unexpected, but beautifully played, accompaniment by
Rowan Harvey-Martin on violin. Fats
Waller’s ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’ was presented in a great arrangement that showcased
the full range and colour of the choir’s voices.
Apart from some occasional wavering in the harmonies and a few unconfident-sounding entries, this was a very enjoyable concert. Conductor, Rowan Harvey-Martin, obtained great
results from the choir and Sue Reid provided an excellent piano accompaniment. A magnificent afternoon tea provided by the
choir members was a perfect end to a memorable concert.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast in the ‘Artcetera’ program on Artsound FM 92.7 on Saturdays
from 9am.