The Orpheus Singers performing at St John’s Church, Newport. Picture by Chris Thwaites.
MUSICIT IS not often you get to sample newly published work on the Island.
But it was Sir Phillip Ledger’s most recent composition at the centre of the Orpheus Singers’ recent concert, at St John’s Church, Newport.
One time the director of music at King’s College, Cambridge, Sir Phillip’s latest work is a requiem subtitled A Thanksgiving for Life and it has recently been recorded on a CD, although not yet released.
The piece was instantly appealing and it was clear the choir, directed by Alan Burnett, enjoyed singing it and the audience enjoyed listening.
Particularly outstanding was the Sanctus and Benedictus in which Helen Pascoe and Rachel Tweddle were the ethereal duettists.
Also the combined Agnus Dei and Pie Jesu, which ended with the choir singing with a beautifully controlled pianissimo. The Orpheus Singers are performing the work again in March, at Christ Church, Totland.
The first half of the programme was taken up by a number of exquisite motets by Palestrina, Victoria and de Lassus where the Orpheus Singers were able to exhibit their reputation for control of dynamics and word-painting. Two works by Handel included a version of How Beautiful are the Feet, quite different from the solo version so often sung at concerts.
The opening alto duet movement was beautifully performed by Deborah Coeshott and Rachel Watson.
The sopranos and altos of the Orpheus blended to perfection in Ave Verum Corpus and Tantum Ergo.
Alison Cooper and Helen Pascoe were excellent duettists in Rheinberger’s Ave Maris Stella. In between these choral items, the audience was treated to eloquent flute solos from Siobhan Cosgrove.
Her playing of Faure’s Sicilienne was an object lesson in phrasing.
Three carol arrangements completed the first half. After the interval Robin Lang, used his tenor voice to good effect in two solos from Finzi’s Dies Natalis.
Piano and organ accompaniments were provided by Keith Smith in his last concert with the Singers.