2008 – 2009
| Vaughan Williams A SEA SYMPHONY | |
|---|---|
| Saturday 8th November 2008 7:30pm Royal Concert Hall VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Sea Symphony City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC CHOIR |
CBSO/Nottingham Harmonic Society, Royal Concert Hall (Saturday 8 November 2008) Monday, November 10, 2008 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 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 | |
| Saturday 6th December 2008 7:00pm Royal Concert Hall HANDEL Denise Leigh Soprano ORCHESTRA DA CAMERA Conductor – Murray Stewart NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC CHOIR |
Operatunity comes to Nottingham!
On Saturday 6 December at 7:00pm, the Nottingham Harmonic Society was joined in Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall by the Operatunity-winning soprano Denise Leigh for its annual performance of the full version of Handel’s Messiah. Denise, who was born with a condition resulting in blindness, has become a household name since winning Channel 4’s reality television show in 2003. Her passion for oratorio and early music has also been flourishing, with performances of the Mozart Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Brahms’ German Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria, as well as Messiah at St George’s Church in Messiah is probably Handel’s best known work. Composed over just a few weeks during the summer of 1741, it features some of Handel’s greatest music including For unto us a child is born, Worthy is the lamb that was slain and of course, the remarkable Hallelujah chorus. |
| FAMILY CAROL CONCERTS | |
| Saturday 20th December 2008 7:00pm Monday 22nd December 2008 7:00pm NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC CHOIR Conductor – Murray Stewart |
Once the great pillars of the audience carols are in place, it’s a matter of choosing from the choir’s vast repertoire. It was good to see Vaughan Williams represented in his anniversary year by The Blessed Son of God as well as several John Rutter pieces, which by now must flow through the veins of every choir member. Less familiar (and considerably more taxing for the singers) was Gabrieli’s Jubilate Deo. 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 / SONG of DESTINY | |
| Saturday 28th March 2009 7:00pm Royal Concert Hall BRAHMS German Requiem BEETHOVEN Leonora Overture No. 3 Soprano – Monica Bancos Guest Conductor – Paul Hale NOTTINGHAM HARMONIC CHOIR |
Monday, March 30, 2009, 06:58 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 |