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Monday 5th May 2008
Choral History - the Concerts
The following contributions are translations of communications that we have received from Music teachers from Husum, our twin town in Germany. As well as giving their reactions to the "Choral History" concerts, they describe other aspects of their visit to Kidderminster. We are very grateful to them for their contributions.Vicky's Impressions of her Visit
I'm Vicky Müller, and I'm a teacher at the Realschule Husum Nord. In March I paid my first visit to Kidderminster, our twin town, and it was a very interesting trip for me. As it was my first time in Kidderminster, naturally everything was very new and fascinating; at times I had the impression that I was a sponge, soaking it all up!
As a Music teacher, I was very impressed with the Choral History project in which the Wyre Forest Young Voices took part, and of which we saw the performance. The concert, in the Town Hall, was not only quite beautiful, but was also, obviously, very demanding. As a memory of the evening I now have the CD, which I'm always listening to.
We were very warmly received in Kidderminster, and I can look back on the visit with great pleasure. Above all, my hosts, Richard and Heidy Hague, were so friendly, and I had a “typically English” time with them. I am now a big fan of plum crumble and scones! During the three days in Kidderminster I visited two schools - a Primary school and Baxter College, and I hope that the contacts which we made there can be developed further. My class of 11-year-olds are very keen to make contact with a class in Kidderminster, and we all hope that these contacts can lead to further visits some time in the future.
For me personally this first visit to Kidderminster certainly won't be the last, and I thank all those who made it all possible!
Vicky Müller
… and Ralf's thoughts on the Visit
At the beginning of March, with Georg Weßler and Vicky Müller (a teacher colleague from Husum), I took the opportunity to experience the final rehearsal and the first performance of the Choral History project. Ray Harrowing had put together a very interesting - and very busy - programme for us Husum visitors, which also gave us the chance to get an overall view of the situation and the problems relating to choral singing in Worcestershire.
As this was my second stay in Kidderminster - in 2002 the senior choir of the Hermann Tast Schule and I were guests in Kidderminster - I was prepared to meet some old acquaintances on the first evening, at the AGM of the Twinning Association. These friendly international encounters in a comfortable social club were a high point of our trip.
The second day of our stay began with an introductory meeting with the Mayor and a tour of the Town Hall under Charles Talbot's expert leadership. Following this, we met in the Council Chamber with those involved in the Choral History project, for an exchange of experiences in planning and organising the project - this was on the day before the first performance! What impressed us above all were the numerous separate professional inputs, and the financial support that had been gained for the project. Cathy Dew, from the Singworks organisation, and, of course, Geoff Weaver, as the Musical Director (and leader of our discussion) described the motivation behind the Choral History project. It was clear to them that in England - as also in Germany - there were problems on the one hand with young people's attitudes to folk music and on the other hand with motivating them towards choral music. Admittedly young people are encouraged to sing through TV shows (for instance “Germany seeks a Superstar”) but at the same time it is certainly being suggested to them that appearance in such a TV show could take the place of constant years of practice in the art of singing. All the participants in the meeting were in agreement that singing is a very important part of being a human being, and through this project many children from five Primary schools were gaining an intensive introduction to singing and to their heritage of folk-songs. At the same time the Primary school pupils could, through linking up with the Wyre Forest Young Voices, experience choral singing of the highest standard. Maybe for some of them an introduction to a career as choristers?
On Thursday evening we were guests at the rehearsals of the Wyre Forest Young Voices and then the Kidderminster Choral Society. It's always an experience to observe Geoff Weaver as conductor! Moreover, at least for the Husumers, the very effective co-operation of conductor, accompanist and vocal coach in the rehearsal of the youth choir was outstanding. We had an opportunity there of hearing the wonderful choral settings by Geoff Weaver - my absolute favourite: The Old Canal. Regrettably, neither in the rehearsal nor in the performance were we to enjoy hearing these pieces sung straight through without breaks for narration.
On the third day of our stay Ray had organised visits to a number of schools, so that we could get a glimpse of the teaching in the various places. A big thank-you must go to all our teaching colleagues, whose work we interrupted! It was very interesting to see the provision in the schools, and the organisation of the subject teaching.
In the evening, then, the great occasion: in a packed Town Hall the first performance of five sequences of radio ballads, with the school choirs, Wyre Forest Young Voices, Primary Chords and the Carnival Band. Thrilling and intense from the first moment to the last, they varied because of the interplay between narration (expertly performed by two actors, whom even I understood!) and the numerous tones of the individual verses in song. Magical for everyone was surely the youngest of the singers (the little lady in the yellow T-shirt in the front row), yawning in the breaks, then concentrating fully when singing with her choir. A huge congratulation and thank-you to all those who took part - it was a wonderful evening!
The rest of our stay was of a more private nature; many thanks for the lovely Farewell Dinner at the Running Horse! Ray did not allow us - or himself - to relax on the last day, showing us some of the beauty of Worcestershire, so that after five days we flew back home exhausted! Our gratitude to all who made this very interesting visit possible, and the greatest thanks, of course, to Penny and Ray for their very friendly welcome. I look forward to our meeting again in Husum.
Ralf Kukowski
Friday 18th April 2008
Young Voices Ten Years On
“Who will sing “Messiah” 50 years from now?” - so read the title of an article that caught the attention of the Kidderminster Choral Society committee in 2006. It lamented the fact that the members of many choral societies were balding or greying, and that choral singing among young people seemed to be a dying art. We could certainly relate to the first statement; our membership was at that time heavily weighted towards middle age or later, and we had seen few young people join us in the previous few years. We were also aware, from our own experience, that there was a lack of good choral singing opportunities locally for young people. Our Director of Music, Geoff Weaver, suspected that a whole generation was growing up with little experience of choral music.The Committee deliberated long and hard about this state of affairs - we knew even then that to take any positive action to meet the situation that the press article mentioned meant committing ourselves and the Society to a great deal of work, expense, worry and frustration! But we bit the bullet, and, with the enthusiastic backing of the Society's membership, founded our youth choir, Wyre Forest Young Voices, in 1997.
We appointed our conductor, Geoffrey Weaver, as conductor of the choir, and our rehearsal pianist, Mike Elden, as accompanist. We knew that they were a good team, with many ideas about the practicalities of running a choir and about repertoire and so on. We also felt that a Vocal Coach would be essential to the team - we would be dealing with some young people who would already have some knowledge of singing, but also with many others to whom the whole process would be entirely new, and one-to-one tuition, as well as group sessions and guidance, would be essential to the success of the choir. We have as a consequence been well served by a succession of three highly-acclaimed professional sopranos - Luise Horrocks, Ula Weber, and the present Coach, Suzzie Vango.
We costed the first year or two's operation, and decided to apply to the National Lottery's “Arts 4 All” scheme - which granted us the maximum £5,000. Needless to say, the Society carried quite a heavy financial burden during the early years. More recently funding sources have included a number of local educational, youth-orientated and family trusts, and several very generous sponsors.
At first the administrative work involved was carried out fairly informally, but we recognised quite early on that this was an important task that needed formalising. It also became apparent that the “pastoral care” of these young people needed thought and commitment. We decided to appoint a volunteer “Choir Co-ordinator”, who has now filled this multi-faceted role for a number of years. Her input, and that of others who have joined the co-ordinating team, is crucial to the health and success of the choir.
In 2002 the choir undertook its first Continental tour, visiting Kidderminster's twin town, Husum, in Germany - an occasion when Geoff displayed another of his skills, leading the group on a walk across the mudflats to one of the offshore islands; one of the legends that passes down to successive new generations of singers! Further tours have taken place at approximately two-yearly intervals. The Netherlands was the next destination, where concerts were given in Amsterdam and Haarlem. Then came a memorable trip to Cyprus where concerts were given in both Greek and Turkish sectors - singing in Greek and Turkish with local youth choirs. Poland and Estonia complete the list so far; here again Polish and Estonian youth choirs partnered the Young Voices in songs in their respective languages. In intervening years the choir has also visited British venues: Wells and Exeter Cathedrals, Bath Abbey, Buckfast Abbey, Bolton Priory and Kettlewell Church, and they are regularly included in the prestigious concert series of Great Witley Church.
The choir began its public performances in Kidderminster in Holy Innocents Church, a fairly modestly-sized venue, but for some years has presented its main concerts in the Music Room of Kidderminster's Town Hall, where the 450 seats are regularly almost all taken - by parents and families, Choral Society supporters, but increasingly by connoisseurs of the best in choral singing from a wide area.
Wyre Forest Young Voices, often represented by its senior or more experienced members (the WFYV Chorale) have taken part in festivals, competitions (named Sainsbury's “Choir of the Day” in the Midlands in 2003) and first performances, for example, Bob Chilcott's “Son of Butterfly” at Symphony Hall and an innovative project with local primary schools to produce and perform modern “folksongs” to tunes collected by Vaughan Williams (see the article on this project dated 14th February).
In the Autumn of 1999 membership fell drastically, and Geoff announced at the Christmas concert that the choir would fold unless numbers increased. The members were not prepared to let this happen, however, and, led by one in particular, worked so successfully (including making an appeal on Classic FM!) that they had doubled the numbers by the first rehearsal of the new year. And the choir has not looked back; there are now 65 members, aged between 10 and 18.
Younger siblings of some of the members had often wanted either to join the Young Voices or to do their own thing, and in response to these urgings we decided to set up Primary Chords, for children aged from five to nine. This group is ably led by one of our sopranos who is an experienced Music teacher, and it has its own programme as well as appearing alongside the youth choir in concert. Memorable productions have included “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” and “Jungle Book”.
There are a number of keys to the success of the Young Voices. One is the wholehearted support of the Society - providing a good proportion of the audience, volunteering for support roles and underwriting the escalating costs of the operation (each rehearsal now costs around £200); for ten years the Society's Chairman has led from the front, giving endlessly of his time, energy and enthusiasm, and there are many other examples of people who have given practical, financial or emotional support. Another is the extent to which parents and families give of their time and money. But the most vital is the commitment of the professionals - Geoff in particular. He has composed or arranged a large number of items and trained successive groups of unauditioned youngsters to a high level of excellence. He has also coached and accompanied people taking exams, taught them music theory, and generally been the spark that has set these kids ablaze.
Several members have taken their music further: one joined a cathedral choir, one has gained a choral scholarship at a Cambridge college, two have become professional soloists, and so on.
The choir celebrated its tenth birthday recently with a party and concert, bringing together nearly 80 present and former members (see Headline article dated 21st January): an occasion to ponder on the benefits. Large numbers of young people have gained in their attitudes to study, their confidence, their concentration and disciplined approach, their “life chances” and their ability to contribute to the area's cultural life. We salute them, and those who lead them to ever greater heights.
Ray Harrowing
Thursday 17th April 2008
Young Voices visit Yorkshire
Choir tours, whether to exotic overseas locations or nearer home in wonderful buildings, have become a regular part of the Wyre Forest Young Voices schedule.
Our coach driver could not believe how disciplined and supportive the choir members were of each other, and this showed itself in our informal concert, when the younger members offered solos, all of which were received with great enthusiasm.
And so to Skipton for a farewell meal, votes of thanks, and the journey home enlivened by the most beautiful harmonies emanating from the back of the coach. What a privilege to work with such committed and talented young people. … and now for the next concert - the Balm of the Baroque, with Pergolesi and Vivaldi. Variety, they say, is the spice of life.
Geoff Weaver
Friday 28th March 2008
Music for 2008-2009
The outline programme for the Society's Concerts in the 2008-2009 Season has been announced.On Saturday 29th November 2008 the programme will probably include John Rutter's "Gloria". The Gala Christmas Concert will take place on Saturday 20th December - this will include performances by the Wyre Forest Young Voices and Primary Chords.
On Saturday 28th March 2009 the Society will perform the St. Matthew Passion, by J.S. Bach.
Ticket details and information about soloists, as well as about further activities of the Society, will be published shortly.
Thursday 14th February 2008
ChOral History - an Update
In our News item posted on the 22nd November, 2007, we gave details of this project, which involves children from five local Primary Schools, together with Wyre Forest Young Voices, the Carnival Band, and porfessional writers and composers. The Wyre Forest Young Voices have now recorded a CD of the new "folksongs" that have been created as part of this project, and this will be on sale shortly, as well as being available at the two live performances on the 7th and 8th March (at the Town Hall, Kidderminster) - details of the concerts can be found on the "Programme" pages (see Left). Sunday 27th January 2008
Odyssey to Husum
On the 28th May a group representing the Choral Society will jet off from Birmingham Airport on their way to Hamburg and thence to Husum for a few days of concentrated singing before a joint concert with partner choir the Theodor Storms Chor von 1843 on the 31st May, returning home on the 1st June.This will be the Society's fifth visit to Husum, and promises to be as action-packed as ever. The non-singers who will accompany the choristers will have their own busy programme while the choirs are rehearsing, and singers and non-singers alike will also have opportunities to savour the delightful landscape and other tourist attractions of this beautiful area of North Germany.
The programme for the concert has not yet been finalised, but will include the Coronation Mass of Mozart. Jens Weigelt (Musical Director of the TSC) and Geoffrey Weaver, who conducts the Choral Society, will each be conducting a work. The venue for the concert will be the impressive setting of the St. Marienkirche, in the town's central Marktplatz.
Sunday 27th January 2008
New CDs from Wyre Forest Young Voices
Wyre Forest Young Voices recorded two CDs in 2007. The first “Freedom is Coming”, is a compilation of music from recent programmes, some sung by the whole group and some by the Young Voices Chorale, with a sprinkling of solos by Naomi Berry (soprano), Charlotte Taylor (violin), Katrina Borrow (soprano), Holly Elson (soprano) and the Flower Duet from Lakmé by Holly and Katrina. Mike Elden accompanies the choral pieces, and Geoff Weaver (Musical Director) the solos.Each piece displays the choir's usual high standards of musicality and interpretation, and the young soloists show great artistry and ability. The programme includes spirituals, folk-songs, classical pieces, songs from other cultures, and modern choral music, and is a beautiful snapshot in sound of this highly accomplished group. The CD is available from the Choir Co-ordinator, Mrs Chris Catanach, 3 Morillon Court, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY10 4ST at £10 plus £1.50 postage and packing.
The second CD, “Music is in the Air”, performed by members of Wyre Forest Young Voices, is of ten songs by Andrew Plank, who is a member of the Kidderminster Choral Society. Andrew, who has also penned the words to six of the pieces, is an accomplished poet, using concepts as varied as a trip on a Paris riverboat and a motorway-maniac Santa. His music, popular in style, is approachable and easy to listen to, whilst not without the occasional harmonic surprise and delight. The enjoyment of the young performers (Naomi Berry, Katrina Borrow, Stuart Orme, Lucy Taylor and Suzanne Webb) shines through and makes this a very pleasing compilation.
For this recording (available from Andrew Plank, 10 Sanderling Court, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY10 4TS at £10 plus £1.50 postage and packing), Andy played the keyboard accompaniment and Geoff Weaver (Musical Director of Wyre Forest Young Voices) directed the performances.
Monday 21st January 2008
Wyre Forest Young Voices Celebrate their Tenth Birthday
Wyre Forest Young Voices, the youth choir of the Kidderminster Choral Society, celebrated their tenth birthday on Saturday January 5 with a party and concert at Kidderminster Town Hall.Present and former members of the choir, with parents and supporters (totalling about 200 people), enjoyed a pig roast supper, and the concert was followed by dancing to the music of Chameleon, who had also played during the meal.
Geoffrey Weaver, the choir's Musical Director, and Mike Elden (accompanist) led the 71-strong choir in a programme of some of their favourite pieces, chosen by members from the wide repertoire that has been sung over the ten years. Stacey Palmer-Young gave a good account of the lead singer's role in the traditional African Maleezwe with which the choir opened the concert, and this was followed by Michael Neaum's arrangement of the folksong The Water of Tyne. The rhythm and vitality that are hallmarks of Vivaldi's music were perfectly captured in the Laudamus Te from his Gloria, and then came a complete change as the group sang three more modern pieces: And they shall protect thee (Peter Nardone), The storm is passing over (Charles Tindley), and May the road rise to meet you (Alexander L'Estrange). The first half of the concert ended with Cy Coleman's The Rhythm of Life, in an arrangement by Richard Barnes: a performance that was indeed full of rhythm and that fully merited an encore.
After a pause for supper, the second half commenced with Geoff Weaver's own arrangement of the South African Siyahamba. This had been one of the items sung by the choir when, during a tour to Cyprus in 2003, they had performed at a conference of Anglican church leaders, bringing African representatives to their feet to sway in time with the music! Then followed another of Geoff's arrangements, this time of the Australian Geoff Bullock's The Great Southland, wonderfully evocative of the landscape and the spirit of the southern continent. A sensitive rendition of Karl Jenkins's Adiemus was next, succeeded by another African song, the Zulu Jabula Jesu. Again from Africa, Don Heymann's Weeping, a song expressing the sadness, but also the hope for the future, of the people of the slums, and including phrases from that great hymn of hope that has become the national anthem of South Africa, Nkosi Sikelele i'Afrika, The published programme ended with John Rutter's beautiful The Lord bless you and keep you, but in response to the prolonged standing ovation the choir brought the performance to a rousing conclusion with another repeat of The Rhythm of Life.
Over the ten years of its existence the choir has consistently achieved high standards of musicality and performance, but this concert, in which present members were joined by a large number of former singers, portrayed an added depth and richness of tone, and gave the audience, as well as the younger singers, a glimpse of the heights of choral excellence which could be attained. The small baritone section was worthy of especial praise; strengthened by the presence of Russell Painter (now a busy professional soloist, but happy to acknowledge and support the group that had nurtured his talent), they achieved a satisfying balance with the upper voices. In like manner, the alto section benefited from the contribution of Beth Dunn, another of the former members who has attained professional status.
During his closing remarks, Geoff Weaver, who had earlier commented that the occasion made him feel like a grandfather many times over, paid several tributes; to the choir members themselves, past and present, to Mike Elden, and to the successive vocal coaches: Luise Horrocks, Ula Weber and Suzzie Vango. He went on to offer his thanks to Chris Catanach, the Choir Co-ordinator, and her pastoral and organising team, to Kidderminster Choral Society and its members, to the many companies, organisations and individuals who had sponsored or grant-aided the choir over the years, and to the parents of choir members. He referred also to the tours that the choir had made, both in England and on the Continent, which had brought their music and their high standards of performance and presentation to many an appreciative audience. An important element in the equation was the existence of Primary Chords, the children's choir which was the third member group in the Choral Society's “family”, and which had contributed a significant number of singers to the youth choir.
Jonathan Price, Chairman of the Choral Society and of the Young Voices, added his voice to the thanks which Geoff had expressed, and made particular reference to the huge contribution that Geoff himself had made, not only to the musical direction and excellence of the choir throughout its existence, but also in his unstinting support of individual members in their musical development, examinations and other aspects of their education.
The evening was memorable not only for the excellence of the singing and the standards of presentation but also for the happy atmosphere that the party surroundings engendered. We wish the Young Voices continued success for the next ten years!
Ray Harrowing
Monday 21st January 2008
"Winter Phantom" - November 2007
Those who braved the wet and rather squally evening to come to the Town Hall were rewarded with a lively concert of choral, vocal and instrumental music from Wyre Forest Young Voices and Primary Chords, including as usual much traditional and folk music from around the world, and in the final section several numbers from Phantom of the Opera.Primary Chords, around 22 strong at the moment and resplendent again in those red, yellow and blue T shirts, put on a delightful performance. There were songs from Finland and Cuba (languages no problem!), the rather reflective Child of Tomorrow, and Morning Song - about the dawn chasing away night terrors - and of course fun songs too: the sad-then-happy Puffin, and lots of music and movement in Monster Stomp! All credit is due to Carol Hill and Nicci Lane who are so ambitious with these very young singers - and their achievement certainly justifies the ambition.
There are now some 15 boys in Young Voices - a quarter of the total, which really is heartening. Suzzie Vango directed two of the pieces and of course the bulk of the conducting fell to Geoff Weaver, while Mike Elden accompanied. WFYV performed three African songs -
0-re-mi from Nigeria, Jesu Ukukhanya from Botswana, both elaborate and requiring great precision in timing and rhythm, and Weeping by the South African Dan Heymann, twenty years ago an anti-apartheid protest song, the refrain of which is now the national anthem. It was good to hear some English folk songs, and performed beautifully by both Young Voices and the Chorale, including Bonny at morn, I love my love, and Bushes and briars, the two latter in arrangements by Geoff. More modern songs were the lovely So fair and bright by Bob Chilcott and impressive settings of the Edward Lear poems The Owl and the Pussy Cat and The Pelican Chorus by William Mathias - Pelican has a very exuberant accompaniment, and Mike reckoned he really needed four hands for it! I greatly enjoyed the lullaby Senora Santa Ana sung by the Chorale with its fresh and rather acerbic harmonies.
The high standard was maintained with the solo pieces. Stuart Orme played El Negrito on the guitar - a rather wistful melody over arpeggios, and in two treble solos Sam James sang Walking in the air (from everyone's favourite Christmas cartoon film) and Andrew Talbot, his voice now on the cusp, sang the rather pensive Pippin's song (Lord of the Rings). Lastly we heard soprano Adele Julier in fine voice in the Stephen Sondheim number Not a day goes by.
So to the musical. I'm not alone in thinking Andrew Lloyd Webber rather overrated, but Phantom of the Opera is certainly a masterpiece. In a sequence of eight numbers Jack Ludwig took the part of the Phantom, Lucy Taylor and Naomi Berry shared the part of Christine, and Raoul was taken by Stuart Orme. A lovely sequence of choruses with solo and duo voices ended with the rather steely Pasf the point of no return, the highlight being the duet All I ask of you - a great song by any standard and beautifully sung by Stuart and Naomi.
A final thought on performer stagecraft: it was noticeable with several of the soloists how anxious they were after their spot to melt back into the choir. Understandable for them, but it is important to acknowledge properly the applause of the audience.
Peter Knott
Monday 21st January 2008
The Dream of Gerontius - November 2007
In October 1898 the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival Committee asked Elgar to write a choral work for the 1900 Festival. He did little towards the commission for over a year, being preoccupied with other works, and most notably the Enigma Variations. Late in 1899 he was seriously considering as subject the story of the Apostles - setting parts of the New Testament and other texts, perhaps a trilogy of works on the scale of Wagner's < i>Ring. These aspirations of course bore more modest fruit in later years as The Apostles and The Kingdom. It was soon evident that with less than a year remaining to the premiere the project was completely unrealistic. Elgar was minded to resign the commission, but persuaded to reconsider he proposed instead a setting of John Henry Newman's poem The Dream of Gerontius. Composition began in March 1900 and was completed by the July. However, Elgar did not finish the orchestration nor were the choral parts ready until early August. The accumulating delays, not least in production of score copies, together with the sudden and most unfortunate death of the experienced chorus master, led to the performers and conductor being ill-prepared for a complex, demanding and at that time quite revolutionary work. The premiere at the Birmingham Festival on 3 October 1900 was, famously, a near disaster. Of course Gerontius was soon acclaimed and since loved and admired for what it is: a choral masterpiece and one of the very finest examples of late Romantic music drama, as well as profound testament to Elgar's Catholic faith.For our autumn concert we had a fine trio of soloists in Harriet Williams (mezzo soprano), Robert Johnson (tenor) and Roland Wood (bass baritone), all three soloists having big voices as the work requires. We were joined by members of the Wolverhampton Chamber Choir for the semi chorus, Marcus Huxley (organ) and a greatly augmented Elgar Sinfonia. Geoff Weaver of course was conductor. Once again the orchestra was on the floor below the stage, the semi-chorus was ranked near the front (which Elgar himself preferred) and we had nearly a full house!
Robert Johnson as Gerontius was superb in what is certainly a very demanding role. Who can forget the thrilling tenor aria Sanctus Fortis, Sanctus Deus, the Latin words from the Good Friday liturgy and the English lines familiar as the Anglican hymn Firmly I believe and truly? I was particularly impressed by Roland Wood, whose voice is very dark and fine - I would say a true bass. He gave to the Priest and later on to the Angel of the Agony the necessary power and yet detachment. The guardian Angel though, beautifully sung by Harriet Williams, seems to have a human dimension. The question of the gender of angels is interesting, as traditionally they are supposed to be sexless. Newman's Angel is clearly male - referred to by the Soul of Gerontius as "him" and "my Lord"- yet Elgar's choice of a female singer is surely right - the Angel's words of instruction and solicitude really do seem womanly, and even maternal. The dialogue between the Soul and the Angel leads to a short polyphonic duet; the words say that the Soul "can forward look with a serenest joy" but musically it is an ecstatic love song - more eros than agape.
It was exhilarating to sing through the sequence Praise to the Holiest which of course is the other section of Newman's poem to have become an Anglican hymn. It is most often sung to Richmond - not bad at all for an A & M tune, but still quite ordinary set beside Elgar's soaring and ever-changing counterpoint, from 0 loving wisdom, becoming more and more intense, and wonderfully hushed and fervent in the passage And in the garden secretly.
Elgar relied heavily on August Jaeger, the friend who was his editor at the publisher Novello, who helped in shaping the work, and in particular with the crucial depiction of the moment of Judgement. Elgar was very reluctant to depict musically the Soul going into the presence of the Almighty. He was worried that directly representing such a supreme thing might be regarded as vulgar, or even blasphemous. He wrote to Jaeger ".....The Soul says 'I go before my God' - but we don't - we stand outside-..." - as indeed Newman did - there is no description in the poem of the Soul seeing the face of God. Jaeger goaded Elgar, comparing him unfavourably to Wagner as a dramatist. The composer's response was the wonderful solution we know - an eleven bar sequence of the “Judgement” theme in the orchestra growing to a crescendo - an instant's pause - then the “blinding flash” of the orchestral fffz - two bars before the Soul, literally awestruck, cries “Take me away”, and the anguish and tumult subside.
The Elgar Sinfonia were as always excellent, and Geoff Weaver is to be congratulated on a magnificent performance, immensely rewarding and a privilege to take part in, and one to stay long in the memory.
Peter Knott