Presented by Musica
Viva
Llewellyn Hall 25
July
Reviewed by Len Power
In a sold-out performance at Llewellyn Hall, The Choir of
King’s College, Cambridge presented a hugely memorable concert.
The choir has been in existence since King’s College at
Cambridge was founded by King Henry VI in 1441.
Its primary purpose has always been the daily singing of services in the
college’s chapel. With extensive touring
and recordings, the choir enjoys an internationally famous reputation.
Presented by Musica Viva, the choir is touring Australia
with concerts in the capital cities.
Canberra was given the second of two programs being presented. The director of the choir, Daniel Hyde,
described it as a ‘chamber’ program. The
choir was joined for certain items by harpist, Alice Giles, and cellist,
Umberto Clerici.
The large program included several works by 16th
and 17th century composers such as Monteverdi, Cavalli, Byrd, Tallis
and Gibbons. Works by later composers
such as Britten and Vaughan Williams were also presented and there were works
by contemporary composers Judith Weir, Errollyn Wallen and Australia’s Ross
Edwards.
Commencing with Monteverdi’s ‘Cantate Domino’, the choir
impressed with their clear diction, finely sustained notes, confidence in
maintaining the various parts and the sheer beauty of their voices. The contrast between the voices of the men
and the boys gave the works a notable depth and colour.
The quality of performance was sustained through every
item. Highlights of the first half of
the program included a moving performance of Bach’s ‘Komm, Jesu, komm’,
Cavalli’s ‘Salve Regina’, sung with great feeling by the men only, and the
glorious ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ by Benjamin Britten. There were also fine accompaniments by
cellist, Umberto Clerici and harpist, Alice Giles.
The second half commenced with a joyful performance of
William Byrd’s ‘Laudibus in sanctis’. It
was followed by Thomas Tallis’s ‘Loquebantur variis linguis’ with its intricate
harmonies expertly sung.
Harpist, Alice Giles, gave a brilliant solo performance of
Carlos Salzedo’s ‘Variations on a theme in Ancient Style’.
Singing the challenging contemporary works of Ross Edwards,
Judith Weir and Errollyn Wallen, the choir showed it was equally at home with
more than just traditional choral works.
The program finished with a superb performance of Vaughan
Williams’ ‘Valiant-for-truth’. The
response from the appreciative audience at the end of the concert was
deservedly overwhelming.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 26 July 2019
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.