Review :: Sing into Spring 2011

CONCERT
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Sing into Spring with I Voci
25th September 2011, 3pm
Wesley Church, William Street
Reviewed by Neville Cohn

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Not even the uncomfortably hard seating at Wesley Church could detract from listening pleasure as veteran choral director John Christmass, now well into his eighties but still sparking on all plugs, took his I Voci Singers through their paces in the cool and cloistered calm of this long-established venue. Outside, in William Street, there was bustle and the clink of commerce as fast foods outlets attended to the needs of passers-by. But there was even more satisfying fare – for ears – in church.

Unruffled and urbane as ever, Christmass coaxed splendid responses from his forces in a number of short pieces. I particularly admired the skill with which Vaughan Williams’ Linden Lea was sung; it was a model of its kind. So, too, was Samuel Barber’s Sure on this Shining Night, a first rate introduction to the afternoon’s program. I’m Seventeen Come Sunday was a folksy delight.

A brief, charming instrumental intermezzo – a movement from Vivaldi’s Piccolo Concerto in C – was played by Tresna Stampalia with her customary professionalism.

Main work of the afternoon was Schubert’s too-rarely heard Mass in G with accompaniment at the organ provided by John Beaverstock. Occasionally, though, in quieter choral moments, the organ part sounded rather too dense-textured. How pleasing to hear this lovely work sung with such understanding of style and mood – and with choral lines clothed in such agreeable tone. Alexandra Bak was a fine soprano soloist.