Solos ably
sung by choir
members
G UTLD. FORD
Cathedral’s new staging
created a theatrical atmosphere for Saturday’s allBeethoven concert given
by Guildford
Philhar-
monic
Choir
and
Orchestra.
The discipline of the
choir was very much on
display, and members ably
undertook solos in the
choral fantasia, which
began the concert.
This
38 ~one
apf
Beethoven’s lesser known
works, but it sits well with
what followed, his ninth
symphony.
Both
use
theme and variation form
and a concluding chorus.
Pianist Lucy Parham
ensured the performance
commenced confidently
and resolutely.
Mirroring this, the conductor, En Shao, took the
scherzo of the symphony
at breath-taking speed;
but allowed the expansive
melodies of the adagio to
create moments of repose.
Throughout,
the
orchestra’s playing was
'ssured and accurate. The
er strings recitative
e
introducing the Ode to Joy "
came through with striking sonorous clarity.
'
United
with
the.
soloists,
Juliet
Booth,~
Bridget
Budge,
JohnOakman
and
Edward
Caswell, the choir. with
visible enjoyment
and
enthusiasm, took up in the
final apotheosis what is
now
the
European
anthem.
Linda Mowat