Harpenden Choral Society performed Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and Faure's Requiem at High Street Methodist Church in Harpenden on March 18.
The underlying theme of the music was war and death. Perhaps not the average person’s expectation of an exciting evening out on a pleasant spring-like evening in Harpenden!
Those who sought alternative entertainment missed ninety minutes of drama, poignancy, sensitivity and excitement given by a group of local amateur musicians alongside professional soloists and instrumentalists.
The concert opened with a performance of a lesser known work by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dona Nobis Pacem.
The vocal score is challenging, but its demands were impressively fulfilled by the choir.
The reduced orchestral accompaniment, chosen for obvious practical constraints, lacked much of the colour and excitement of the full version, but nevertheless the King’s Sinfonietta provided an effective portrayal of the music.
The choir tackled the contrasting movements with understanding and the dynamic ranges were carefully controlled.
Last minute substitute baritone soloist Andrew Davies gave a most commendable account of the work. His versatility in the field of both opera and oratorio was displayed throughout the evening.
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It was good to welcome Harpenden bred soprano soloist Alison Langer back to her local roots.
The second part of the evening contained Faure’s ever popular Requiem - a basic element of the choral repertoire.
The seven movements contain some of the most beautiful melodies ever composed by Faure.
The calm, peaceful outlook of the music was well understood. The In Paradisum and Agnus Dei melodic shape was supported by good mellifluous tonal quality.
John Andrews, the choir’s musical director, chose brisk tempi and the forced forward movement occasionally needed space to portray the music’s calm and restful nature.
Organist/pianist Richard Gowers’ playing added much to the evening’s success. War and death? Maybe time for reflection on our ever changing world?
An evening giving that opportunity through the medium of arts and music. Well done, HCS.
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