Cathedral swings in acoustlc accord
SATURDAY mght saw crowds
filing into Guildford Cathedral,
filling its long nave and high
gallery for a concert of choral
music that promised works by
Bob Chilcott, John Rutter and
something more novel... All
That Jazz.
Reserved for the latter half of
the evening's programme, the
jazziest element was to prove
the highlight of the Vivace"
Chorus’ choral showcase.
In Will Todd's Mass in
Blue, the recently re-branded
Guildford Philharmonic have
found a powerful work with
which to stake their claim as a
choir of stature, maturity and
versatility.
The programming was not
without its drawbacks: Chilcott’s
composition Little Jazz Mass,
although well sung, seemed to
lack interest and essential variety; while the wonderful pauses and poise of Rutter’s otherwise rousing Gloria suffered an
excess of amplification.
It was in the second half that
all fundamental elements choir, composer, band and an
w1th the range of passion,
sensitivity and humour they so
extraordinary soloist — converged in one brilliant acoustic
accord. Following an introductory set that had us tapping to
the tune of Sunday school staple Give me Oil in my Lamp,
the Will Todd Jazz Band exploded into Mass in Blue and set the
audience swinging.
The Vivace Chorus sang with
obvious enjoyment and dedication to this new work, serving
its “Sanctus” and “Benedictus”
obviously craved.
Meanwhile,
in a superbly
assured performance, soprano
Bethany Halliday brought to
the traditional Latin text some-
thing rich and strange: a yearning akin to the darkness of
Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess that
lightened and brightened to a
future more holy.
My lamp well lit, it kept me
swinging all the way home.
Madeline Clements