LU~
-
Performance that’s
one to remember
UPON completion of his masterpiece, The Dream of
Gerontius, Sir Edward Elgar quoted these words from
Ruskin: “This is the best of me ... and this, if anything
of mine, is worth your memory.”
On Saturday evening at the Guildford Civic the
Guildford Philharmonic Choir gave us a performance
of “The Dream” which was, indeed, worth our memory.
Augmented by a small but extremely fine chamber
choir, the Vasari Singers, they rose to the challenge of
this difficult but moving work.
~Jeremy Backhouse, conductor of the Vasari Singers
since 1981, has built up a close understanding with the
Philharmonic Choir.
,
On Saturday this rapport was evident, with the choir
responding keenly to his interpretation. The dissonant
outburst of the Demons’ chorus was clectrifying, and
the hissing, sneering tone woven into the singing of
What's a Saint? was enough to bring a chill to the bold-
est of souls.
——
-
el
o
L