THE ADVERTISER, MARCH 26, 1999
Music on a
‘grand scale
FOR its concert at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday,
the Guildford Philharmonic Choir was joined by the
Wooburn singers and their shared coqductor, Jeremy
Backhouse.
Firstly a fitting tribute was paid to Yehudi Menuhin,
who died the day before the concert, and whose famous
music school is only a few miles from the cathedral at
Stoke d’Abernon.
For what was ostensibly a choral programme, a great
deal of responsibility fell on the accompanying orchestra, the Forest Philharmonic, one of this country’s best
community orchestras which undoubtedly attracts players of an extremely high standard.
Bruckner’s Mass in E minor is scored for only wind
and brass. The atmosphere of devotional sincerity was
well set by the chorus, but against the secure instrumental ensemble, the eight-part choral forces sounded at
times rather unwieldy. However, the final plea for peace
in the return of the Kyrie theme was most confidently
and pleasingly achieved in Bruckner’s beautiful music.
Mabhler’s second ( Resurrection) symphony, which followed, is music on a grand scale lasting for some 85
minutes. In practical terms it needs a very large orchestra. Emotionally, Mahler’s embodiment of his struggle
with human mortality is enormous.
Mabhler’s music needs more than accurate note getting. The diminution of dynamics and tempi contrasts
in the opening movements allowed only a glimpse of the
composer’s outrage and grief at the omnipotence of
death. But in the climatic fifth movement, when the chorus entered, we were able to share Mahler’s vision of
another world where an overwhelming love would illuminate our being.
The chorus, with soloists Katy and Jeanette Ager, the
orchestra with its dramatic percussion, off-stage band
and organ, united in a swathe of glorious sound in the
_embodiment of the Resurrection Ode text “What thou
~ hast fought shall lead to God’.
Linda Mowat