Carols by Candlelight 2007Cantiones is becoming adept at setting the scene for their annual Carols by Candlelight performance. This year they began the evening with “Silent Night” which rose and fell from the back of a candlelit Holy Trinity church creating a spine-tingling mood. Followed by a rousing welcome to the full house with “O Come All Ye Faithful” members of the audience knew they were in for their usual treat. Musical Director Gerry Howe was obviously enjoying himself very much whilst still running a tight ship with the baton.
With such a varied programme of carols and Christmas music there is always something for everyone. The simplicity of “Ding Dong Merrily on High” and “Come, Leave Your Sheep” was complemented by a very complex version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” arranged by Andrew Carter, clever but perhaps over-complicated. There can be no more beautiful arrangement of “In Dulci Jubilo” than that of Pearsall, while David Willcocks` arrangements of “Deck The Hall”, “The Infant King” and “The Sussex Carol” are a delight.
Cantiones performed Charpentier`s “Messe de Minuit” (Midnight Mass) in the second half of the evening, a pretty little work if one likes music from that era, faultlessly accompanied by Anthony Dowlen on the organ. A whole host of individuals was drawn from the ranks of the choir, sharing the solos around, no one singer dominating.
It was, however, the last two items of the programme which fully demonstrated the skill of this chamber choir. John Gardner`s “Tomorrow Will Be My Dancing Day” bounced along at a terrific pace, the tricky rhythms and interchange of parts easily accomplished without cutting short phrases or losing any of the dynamics of the piece which sometimes happens. This was followed by the second “O Magnum Mysterium” of the evening, this time by Morten Lauridsen, the Scandinavian American contemporary composer. Again, great control was demonstrated in the gradual swelling to the climax of the work and dying to the most intense of endings. Though not everyone will actually be fond of the work, no-one could help but admire Cantiones` estimable performance of it.
Offering a glass of wine and a mince pie to all who joined them, Cantiones ended with a party atmosphere and an opportunity to wish all who shared the occasion a very Merry Christmas.
Summer Soiree, 2007
Cantiones`, Oswestry`s foremost chamber choir, last appearance of the season was at the newly and beautifully refurbished Rhydycroesau Village Hall for their annual Summer Soiree, and there could hardly have been greater contrast. The hall was absolutely packed out to hear an evening of secular music, some serious, some much less so, and notwithstanding such a relaxed atmosphere the choir was once again on top form.
Based upon the theme “The Sea,” a programme of loosely nautical items ensued. The first half embraced, amongst other pieces, Purcell`s “Sailor`s Chorus” from “Dido & Aeneas”, expertly accompanied by instrumentalists from the choir (a talented bunch!), Elgar`s “Where Corals Lie”, and an all-ladies rendering of “The Jamaica Farewell” with the men choristers waving their maracas. Two soloists, Kathryn Crosskey and Christopher Moore-Bridger, sang Ireland`s “Sea Fever” and Keel`s “Trade Winds” respectively with great feeling. The half finished with a rousing arrangement of Arne`s “Rule Britannia” by Cantiones` MD Gerry Howe, and the audience were rewarded with an encore in which all could join.
Those who regularly follow Cantiones to their soiree know that included in the ticket price is a very nice light supper of assorted bread and cheese, with strawberries and cream to follow and a glass of wine included. How good value is that?! There may well have been some consternation on the part of the caterers (Cantiones themselves), however, as they attempted a re-enactment of the “Feeding of the Five Thousand” on this occasion!
The second half of Cantiones` summer soiree was given over entirely to numbers from Gilbert & Sullivan`s “Pirates of Penzance.” A resumé of the plot was foretold by the magnificently attired Pirate King, Paul Myres, and the choir then launched into the hugely popular “A Policeman`s Lot” and “When the Foeman Bears His Steel” with Xavier Kruger providing the basso profundo of the Sergeant of Police. Soprano Effie Cadwallader sang Mabel`s “Poor Wandering One”, including a staggeringly high top E flat, no less, in her cadenza, raising the peak applause of the evening. The choir finished en masse with the Finale of Act I, a choral work in miniature with much good music behind its corny words.
One could say that this evening`s music is a departure from Cantiones` usual repertoire but those of us in the know are fully aware that the variety of music this choir can sing with perfect aplomb is yet another of its great assets. Watch out for next season`s programmes!
"Cantiones and Wrekin Brass gave a concert of such range, from fun to exquisite." "Wrekin Brass were a hoot and so nice. What a find!"
"… English and Venetian music for voices and brass: irresistable! I really enjoyed it very much indeed - I particularly liked the Vittoria O quam Gloriosum and the Vautor Sweet Suffolk Owl from the a cappella section and the Stainer was magnificent - a real revelation because I've always been very disparaging about Stainer in the past. Another surprise was the Deering because I've only vaguely heard of him and it was superb. I enjoyed the brass too - the Jupiter arrangement was great. My Fair Lady is not exactly my cup of tea (as you probably could guess) but overall it was a lovely concert."
"… enjoyed the whole evening especially the brass - quality!"
(Comments from audience members at the Festival of Venetian and English music, 9th June 2007)
"It is tempting to state that the 'professionals' were next to perform,
but of course, Cantiones, though an amateur chamber choir, is of, quite
simply, professional standard. The two contrasting works, sung under
the leadership of Musical Director Gerry Howe, were, as expected,
faultless: first Palestrina`s Sicut Cervus followed by the rousing Parry anthem I Was Glad accompanied by organist Christopher Symons."
(from Review of Oswestry School 600th Anniversary Concert, 1st March 2007)
“The Oswestry & Border Counties Advertizer,” January 2007
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
It is a measure of the quality of Cantiones as a chamber choir that
they can draw two large audiences with the same programme in the same
area within a week. I was lucky enough to hear the choir on both
occasions, firstly at Selattyn in St. Mary`s Church, and then at Holy
Trinity Church, Oswestry, and I can confirm local opinion that this
choir is quite outstanding.
The initial singing of Away in a Manger
from the back of the candlelit church set an atmospheric tone for a
wonderful evening of Christmas music. Much of the programme was new to
the audience and featured some challenging though very beautiful
twentieth century and contemporary music alongside works by Orlando
Gibbons, Brahms and Parry amongst others. Gerry Howe, Cantiones`
Musical Director, was clear and minimalist in his conducting, never
distracting from the impressive visual spectacle of a choir so
obviously enjoying their performance.
Of particular note was O Magnum Mysterium
by the American composer Morten Lauridsen, a work which Cantiones sang
with immense discipline. Tone, diction and intonation were never lost
throughout a display of the choir`s full range of power from pianissimo to fortissimo and back again.
The evening was skilfully divided with robust audience carols (always
welcome as an opportunity to stretch legs and lungs!) expertly
accompanied by Christopher Symons on the organ, and entertaining
secular seasonal readings given by members of the choir.
The three soloists of the evening, Kathryn Crosskey in Darke`s In The Bleak Midwinter, Effie Cadwallader in Leighton`s Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child, and Annabel Gittins in Rachmaninov`s Blagoslovi Duche Moya
deserve special mention. Three ladies, three contrasting timbres, three
flawless solos enhanced by the glorious acoustics of Holy Trinity
church, though on at least one occasion, sadly, marred by the boy
racers passing by bearing noisy exhaust pipes.
Note the website: www.cantiones.org.uk. Don`t be disappointed. Don`t
miss any chance to hear Cantiones in concert. We are very lucky to have
them on our doorstep!
“The Oswestry & Border Counties Advertizer,” April 2005
MOZART REQUIEM
So well balanced, the choir caressed over the harmonies with a fusion of sound of almost instrumental quality.
Entries for the most part were meticulously crisp, diction was precise
and the running passages evident in several movements bounced along
with energetic yet strict articulation.
Those of us who heard Cantiones sing Mozart`s Requiem last May were
astonished that an amateur choir could produce such a wonderful
performance. If anything, this was even better … Cantiones just
gets better and better.
Chester Cathedral
“We
really enjoyed your leadership of our worship during the day, and felt
that both the skill and enthusiasm evident in your singing greatly
enhanced our worship. We would be glad to welcome you here again in the
future.”
Reviews