Art Song Canberra
Christina Wilson,
Mezzo-Soprano
Alan Hicks, Piano
Wesley Music Centre,
Forrest, 9 September
Reviewed by Len Power
Folk songs record the rich stories and histories of peoples
everywhere - the social, emotional, and political. Presented by Art Song Canberra, ‘What the
Folk Sing’ was a well-researched and memorably performed concert of folk songs
by eminent composers such as Grainger, Bartók, Dvořák, Brahms, de Falla, Copland
and others.
Covering such a wide range of folk songs from different
countries presents the considerable challenge of singing in a variety of
languages. Mezzo-Soprano, Christina
Wilson, sang confidently in Hungarian, Czech, German and Spanish as well as
English. Alan Hicks’ provided expert accompaniment
on piano with the variety of composers and their distinctive music.
Wilson’s performance was exceptional in all aspects. Her voice has a richness and clarity that is
very appealing and she displayed a deep understanding of the intent of the chosen
songs – nationalistic fervour, emotional passion, the humorous side of life, a
sense of culture and time long vanished and the sorrow of lost love.
Commencing with songs by English composers, Wilson gave
particularly beautiful and heart-felt performances of ‘The Bold Young Farmer’
by Ralph Vaughan Williams, ‘Willow Willow’ by Percy Grainger and ‘Barbara
Allen’ by Roger Quilter.
These were followed by two sets of songs by Hungarian, Bela Bartók,
and Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák.
Wilson sang the emotional content of the Bartók songs with great control
and warmth and with welcome flashes of humour.
Alan Hicks provided a memorable piano accompaniment throughout but
especially for the fifth song. The Dvořák
songs were notable for their portrayal of nationalistic pride and Wilson brought
out this feeling with subtlety and realism.
The Spanish songs by de Falla were sung with passion and
sensuality and contrasted nicely with the rich songs about love by Brahms.
Moving from Europe to America, the three different types of
songs by Aaron Copland were very well sung.
Wilson gave the lullaby, ‘The Little Horses’, an especially delicate and
haunting quality.
The program concluded with a finely controlled emotional
warmth for ‘Black, Black, Back is the Colour’ by the more contemporary
composer, John Jacob Niles.
Photo by Peter Hislop
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 10 September 2018.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast in his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.