Choral Concert in Ely Cathedral
The King's School Ely presented a magnificent Choral Concert in Ely Cathedral. The full programme of sacred music included an attractive variety of textures and styles for this large gathering of talented singers.
Director Graham Griggs took heed of the special qualities of the acoustics of the Cathedral. Unaccompanied works demanding clarity of lines that overlapped and interwove in resonant beauty were performed in the Lady Chapel in the first half of the concert. The first three of these were a tantalising and serene Kyrie by Harold Darke, a powerful vibrant Ave Maria Op.37 no.6 by Rachmaninov and a mesmerising Song for Athene by John Tavener. These were sung by the Chapel Choir – a formidable choir capable of moments of impressive sustained beauty and climactic splendour.
The brilliant tones of the King's Brass conducted by Michel Sedgwick lit up the Lady Chapel with worthy performances of the 8-part Canzon XXV111 by Giovanni Gabrieli and Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke.
In Antonio Lotti's Crucifixus that followed, choral singing at the highest level was offered by Cantores Eliensis – a select group of singers directed by Peter North.
The Chapel Choir ended this part of the concert splendidly, luxuriating in the rich harmony of Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki's Totus tuus and revelling in the glorious resonance of Charles Wood's Nunc Dimittis.
With Jonathan Lilley commanding the Cathedral organ with customary rigour and expertise, these fine singers filled the presbytery with powerful climaxes and ethereal reverence performing John Ireland's Greater Love Hath No Man, John Henry Maunder's Olivet to Calvary and Gustav Holst's Turn Back O Man.
The approachable, traditional hymn-like nature of Maunder's description of events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus was a glorious and fitting work for the Lent season. A group of fine soloists contributed to this work: Catriona Clark (soprano), John McMunn (tenor) and Peter North (baritone). John McMunn was especially impressive in the recitative and air O was there ever loneliness like this. The special support and tonal colouring he used brought out the emotional intensity of the words splendidly.
The Director Graham Griggs is to be congratulated for such a magnificent concert – way beyond the standard one would expect from any school.
For details of future King's School Ely events contact:
boxoffice@kings-ely.cambs.sch.uk
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Weather for Newmarket
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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