VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Sea Symphony
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending
GUSTAV HOLST Perfect Fool

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Conductor -
John Wilson

NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC SOCIETY

{This concert was part of the Nottingham Classics series.)

FIFTY years have passed since the death of Vaughan Williams and, as a climax to this year's celebration of the great man, the CBSO and the Nottingham Harmonic Society performed his Sea Symphony. The work's epic scale and profound spiritual depth should, in the right hands, make it an emotionally shattering experience. It was in the right hands on Saturday night.
The choir had to summon up every ounce of energy and musicality to make their presence felt against a CBSO at full throttle and on top form. Most of the time the composer does not give his singers a chance to make the words heard - but their contribution to the symphonic texture was often thrilling. The opening "Behold the sea" was explosive and there was much impressive singing, capturing both the ocean's turbulent surface and its quiet, mysterious depths. Baritone Roderick Williams and soprano Janice Watson were the eloquent and well-matched soloists.
The Lark Ascending is often voted the nation's favourite piece of classical music - so expectations were high. Violinist Laurence Jackson's magical performance did not disappoint. Neither did the orchestra's spirited rendition of Holst's dances from The Perfect Fool. Conductor John Wilson provided incisive, insightful direction throughout.

WILLIAM RUFF

HANDEL Messiah

Denise Leigh Soprano
Christopher Ainsley Counter tenor
Nicholas Ransley Tenor
Wyn Pencarreg Bass

ORCHESTRA DA CAMERA

Conductor - Murray Stewart

NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC SOCIETY

NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC SOCIETY

Conductor - Murray Stewart

THORESBY COLLIERY BAND

The Thoresby Colliery Band was once again on dazzling form, bursting onto the scene with their conductor's own arrangement of Praetorius' In Dulci Jubilo before showing off the virtuosity which has won them so many prizes. Highlights included solos by Geoff Hawley (in Flowerdale) and by Simon Willis and Kate Johnson (in The Prayer). Conductors Murray Stewart and Keith Wardle seemed equally at home whether directing fizzing performances from choir and band or coaxing Away in a Manger from the children in the audience.

WILLIAM RUFF

BRAHMS German Requiem
BRAHMS Song of Destiny

BEETHOVEN Leonora Overture No. 3

Soprano - Monica Bancos
Bass - James Oldfield

ORCHESTRA DA CAMERA

Guest Conductor - Paul Hale

NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC SOCIETY

PERHAPS a special medal should be struck for musicians capable of outstanding feats of stamina. If so, one would have to be awarded to conductor Paul Hale: the Bach Society's St John Passion last week followed by the Harmonic's Brahms' German Requiem this week - two masterpieces full of technical complexity and emotional profundity. The Harmonic took the Requiem's vast canvas in its stride: tenderness in the outer movements as well as spine-tingling drama in the inexorable march of Denn alles Fleisch. Rhythms were crisp, textures were clear and the text was transmitted with conviction. The Orchestra da Camera contributed to the spiritual power of the work, as did accomplished young soloists Monica Bancos (soprano) and James Oldfield (Bass). Choir and orchestra were equally successful in Brahms' Song of Destiny. As a curtain-raiser the orchestra performed Beethoven's Leonora Overture No 3, creating plenty of adrenalin in its final frenetic moments.

William Ruff
Nottingham Evening Post