From The West Australian - TODAY ARTS
by Neville Cohn
01/09/10
Concert
--------------------
I Voci at Spring in the Ballroom
Government House Ballroom on 29th August 2010
Review: Neville Cohn
--------------------
Unlike, say, Verdi's setting of the requiem mass for the dead with its operatically, noisy climaxes, Gabriel Faure's version unfolds in the most serenely gentle way.
At the weekend, it was the chief joy of a performance by I Voci, directed by John Christmass.
Robert Hofmann, who stood in for an indisposed Mark Alderson, sang his solos, especially Libera Me, with a very real understanding of Faure's idiosyncratic style.Soprano Alexandra Bak, too, rose to the occasion in vocal terms but her diction might have been clearer.
In the Sanctus and In Paradisum, Christmass coaxed singing of consistent refinement from his choir, accompanied by an 11 -strong instrumental ensemble.
Earlier, Tresna Stampalia (flute) and Bronwyn Wallis ( harp) played Faure's En Priere with most musical phrasing and beguiling tone quality.
As ever, I Voci's programme included many choral miniaturss of which John Rutter's Americal Lyrics yielded the most satisfying listening, not least for polished ensemble singing and finely realised piano accompaniments by Sammy McSweeney.
Aaron Copland's arrangement of Ching-a-Ring Chaw was informed by a jolly, energetic quality that sounded entirely appropriate.
There was, as well, a charming account of Howard Goodall's setting of the 23rd Psalm, the theme music for the Vicar of Dibley TV series.
In Moneverdi's Lascitemi morire, intonation was not always quite secure and there was some tentative singing at the beginning of I Know Where I'm Going.
This was a most civilised way of spending a Sunday afternoon.
No comments:
Post a Comment