THE ADVERTISER, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
Power and vitality
of Verdi ‘Requiem’
IT was a compelling
performance full of
‘power and vitality that
confronted the audience at Guildford Civic
Hall
night.
last
Saturday
erdi’s Requiem, an everpopular romantic work, was
performed by Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra under
the expert guidance of its
principal conductor, Sir
Charles Groves.
Moods alternated between
powerful vivacity and sombre contemplated. Chorus
and orchestra combined to
bring the dramatic work to
life, making the most of the
vast
range
of
tonal
opportunities.
The Dies Irae exemphfied
the balance between the delicate and the muscular. Silences' were perfect and all
notes were precise.
The effective moment
when the trumpets call to
each other across the waste-
‘land of life was brilliantly
done with two trumpets positioned in each ‘back corner,
behind the audience, making
those listening feel even more
a part of the requiem mass.
“Patricia Bardon (alto),
Christine Teare (soprano)
and Gordon Wilson (tenor)
were ‘all strong and clear, but
bass-baritone Stephen Gadd
was disappointing in his
rather indistinct delivery, not
to mention his total lack of
emotion.
‘The Dies Irae ended with
the tranquil beats of the bass
drum, death march, leaving
the audience with a haunting
feeling of peace.
The more jubilant Sanctus
successfully drew the audience back to the celebrity
nature of the mass. Brisk and
precise trumpet fanfares
burst through the precedmg
silence with light animation..
Verdi incorporates a great
variation of styles which,
with Sir Charles at the fore,
came off beautifully on Saturday. Unaccompanied choral singing, stylised chanting,
opera aria, ecclesiastical, dra-
and drama of the section.
At a reception tollowing
the performances the Mayor
of Guildford, Mrs. Mary
Lloyd-Jones, congratulated
the orchestra and choir on
their ‘‘splendid performance.” She presented Sir
Charles. with a silver salver
engraved with the Guildford
crest.
Mr. Dennis Card senior
secretary of the Musicians’
Union, said how much Sir
Charles was respected among
musicians and, especially, the
GPO. He presented him with
matic and theatrical — all
a cheque for £5,000 for the
were there.
:
After the delicated tones of music trust to help finance
the flute in Lux Aeterna the. the engagements outside
final movement, Libera Me,
built up to a resounding climax, and the audience became engulfed in the passion
Guildford.
Lisa Raynsford
-