The perfect English summer’s day needed something alive and beautiful to bring it to a fitting end: and what better than the sound of English song and music in an old village church in the quiet of the evening. The Festival Choir of Bollington gave their listeners such an evening at St. Oswald’s Church last Sunday. Their programme taking its title from John of Gaunt’s speech in Richard II, ranged from works of English poets of the 16th and 17th centuries, set in song, to piano music of the 20th century and of today as well. The choice did not dwell on nostalgia, but rather rested on the feelings evoked by reflection on life and on faith and on the joy of natural beauty. It was a robust as well as a tender, sensitive recital. The discerning choice of soloists brought two distinguished artists from the North West to join the choir, Angela Rowley soprano and James Pelham pianist, a happy choice that created an evening of artistry and grace.
Miss Rowley’s voice was so right for the songs chosen. The most well-known composers were presented such as Parry, Vaughan Williams, Bridge, Ireland and many others. Her firm and serene soprano, unforced, pure in tone and sensitive had a restraint and poise that made each song sound limpid, unspoiled by indulgence, and the lifts to the highest register in ‘A blackbird singing’ were clean and lovely. Her performance all through gave great pleasure.
James Pelham played ‘Two sketches’ by York Bowen and ‘Emily’s piano’ by Donald Judge. Two pieces by Maxwell Davies were also included. Throughout the concert he accompanied everything. The two lyrical pieces by Bowen revealed the influence of the Romantic composers on this composer. They were played with a refined clean touch, responsive to the feeling but with clarity and precision. In this he created an atmosphere that was calm and poetic, reflecting this summer evening. Later, his performance of ‘Emily’s Piano’ by Donald Judge was quite dazzling. Inspired by hearing Emily Brontë’s own piano played in Haworth, the composer has created a sparkling and clever set of variations on a theme that starts with the initials of Emily and her sisters – E, B, A, B, C, B. This cascade of musical brilliance was full of stimulation and delight, ending with a brief quirky flourish, proving that our Englishman is not too serious for long. James Pelham played this work with relish. He brought out all the bravura of the transformations but never lost sight of the initial three notes, doing full justice to the composer’s quickened inspiration. Mr Judge is not only the conductor of the choir and the begetter of all its concerts and recitals, but a very gifted composer in his own right.
The choir, of course, had its own outstanding moments. After perhaps a tentative start with Parry’s ‘Royal throne of kings’ they gave a joyous performance of Cecelia McDowall’s ‘Fantasy of folksongs’. Much of this work is difficult. It requires very skilled singing and full concentration on the score. The syncopated rhythms and the harmonies brought out the best in all the singers. Their combination of technical competence and response to taxing integration, part with part, was admirable. No less a challenge came from Donald Judge’s ‘Lines’ in which they sang with Angela Rowley. They showed their ability to deal with contemporary music in these works. Their experience in singing over a period of fifty years has brought them to this attainment. Their final account of Parry’s setting of Milton’s ‘Blest pair of sirens’ was sung with full hearts.
This was a very delightful and interesting concert.
JH