Landscapes |
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Landscapes - Saturday 16 May 2009 at 7.30pm at St. Mary's Church, Newport‘Landscapes’ evokes glimpses of the varied British countryside in words and music. The programme encompasses a wide range of musical styles from the dreamlike quality of Saint Saens' Calme des nuits to Hoagy Carmichael's jazzy Lazy River, via the folksongs of Vaughan Williams and Alan Bullard’s rhythmic A Summer Garland, which was composed for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The Chorale are joined by reader Neil Marshall and three gifted musicians from Newport Free Grammar School (on alto sax, 'cello and piano) playing Rachmaninov, Brahms and Debussy. The concert supports Newport Church's Restoration and Improvements Fund, set up to finance urgently needed roof and masonry repairs and to aid more effective use of the church building. We look forward to the pleasure of your company. Sorry - this event has already taken place. We hope to see you at one of our future events. Reviews"During this concert we were transported through rural landscapes from spring to summer by both verse and
music. We were taken on a path through woods, and joined Mole on his trip down river with Rat, in extracts
from Rudyard Kipling and Kenneth Grahame movingly read by Neil Marshall. Three young musicians from Newport
Free Grammar School, on cello, alto sax and piano, expertly played pieces by Brahms, Rachmaninov and Debussy,
while the choir treated us to a musical panorama from a lyrical arrangement of the traditional ‘Ca’ the Yowes’
to the contemporary ‘A Summer Garland’ composed by Alan Bullard. Their fine voices blended well, giving
dynamic, accomplished singing which they obviously enjoyed. Of particular note was their spine-tingling
performance of ‘Water Night’ by the young American Eric Whitacre, in which they used the space and acoustic
of Newport Church to stunning effect. A delightful evening." "The delightfully entertaining "Landscapes" concert showed how greatly Granta Chorale has secured its
individual blend and polished its performance.
The singers performed stylishly a wide range of music with great personal charm and energy, and their
well planned movements enlivened and enhanced their presentation.
Spellbinding moments of great beauty and stillness were balanced by times of exciting volume and rich colour."
I enjoyed Saturday's concert so very much. The combination of delicate choral music and readings was uplifting
and immensely moving!
I know how very difficult 'a cappella' singing can be, having sung in choirs that have attempted it, but
have failed to reach the level achieved so elegantly - and effortlessly - by Granta Chorale. And hearing
poetry spoken is such a rare pleasure. It was a magical evening! Audience CommentsWhat a wonderful evening – so moving. You transported us away from the gloom of the recession... a glorious performance. Simply stunning! |
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