This weekend provided a cornucopia of choral music.
On Saturday night the Graduate Singers, directed by Karl Geiger presented Songs of Beauty in St Peter’s Cathedral.
On Sunday afternoon the Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus, directed by Aldis Sils presented Winter Magnificence.
In both concerts there was something familiar, in celebrating the 80th birthday of John Rutter and also music which was less known.
The Grads began with For the Beauty of the Earth. Sung with warmth and joy, it set the mood.
Stanford’s The Blue Bird, with soloists Nadia Gencarelli and Amelia Holds, then Three Shakespeare Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams followed. Then something new: a composition by the English composer Libby Croad, a setting of three poems by the Brontë sisters, Emily, Anne and Charlotte. These poems reflect the darkness of the moors and the sense that even while we mourn there is still joy to be found in life. Accompanied by the Aurora Strings, Sarah Wozniak, Emma McMurray, Rachel Hicks and Briohny Taylor, the Brontë Suite traversed the journey from grief and anguish to ‘hope’s triumph over despair’.
In the second half we heard Five Hebrew Love Songs by Eric Whitacre. These were a lovely addition to the program, lively, light and rhythmic.
Rutter, having opened the program concluded it with three more songs from Shakespeare.
The choir was at times supported by David Heah on the organ.
The Cathedral was a magnificent setting for this concert, which clearly delighted the audience.
On Sunday afternoon the Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus brought us Winter Magnificence, fittingly on the last day of winter. This was a concert of energetic and robust music, beginning with Psalm Notebook by the Latvian composer Valts Püce. The four psalms were accompanied by percussion, played by Andrew Wiering and Henry Millar, cellos, Kara White and Tom Marlin, piano Nerissa Pearce and Josh Van Konkelenberg organ, all of which contributed to the drama expressed in the psalms, where God wi cajoled, appealed to, and venerated. Even the gentler The Lord is My Shepherd, introduced by the soloist Kim Worley, in fine form, ended forcefully. The choir revelled in the drama and emotion.
Rutter’s Magnificat, beginning with the joyful anima mea also had its more compelling sections. Chaney Hoffman’s clear soprano added to the beauty of this piece, which deserves to be performed more often.
Two choirs, two different and distinct sounds, two well considered repertoires and two concerts in one weekend. What a marvellous way to spend the last weekend of winter.
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