NELSON MASS (MASSES FOR DREAMING AND TROUBLED TIMES) @ CITY RECITAL HALL

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This was the final concert for 2016 for both the Sydney Chamber Choir and the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra (formerly known as orchestra seventeen88). The combination of these two groups, both under the direction of Richard Gill, delivered a wonderful evening’s entertainment to a large audience.

Ross Edwards. Pic by Bridget Elliott.
Ross Edwards. Pic by Bridget Elliott.

The concert opened with Ross EdwardsMass of the Dreaming ‘Missa Alchera’. This was performed a capella by the Sydney Chamber Choir. As a first time listener to this work, I was blown away by its beauty and, as always with Ross Edwards’ work, its deep roots in Australian culture.

The opening Kyrie used the basses to great effect to draw on the drone sound of a didgeridoo, which set the scene, and this led to a dialogue between the male and female voices. The Gloria set a strong rhythmic pace with sonorous syncopation which was very effective. The Sanctus and then the Benedictus captured our minds with sonorous yet delicate harmonies in a beautiful canon.

The closing movement, the Agnus Dei, included some beautiful dissonances and ended with a return to the drone sounds.  On the whole, sublime, and I can see this work becoming a staple of the choral repertoire. It was wonderful that Ross Edwards himself was in the audience to hear this performance.

The second item was Haydn’s London Symphony. This was performed by the  Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra on period instruments authentic to the time when it was written.  It brought a new sense of the work for me. It seemed that the dynamic changes were clearer and I really appreciated the more rustic sound of the woodwinds, especially the clarinet. The work seemed to have a more intimate feel and a greater character with the use of the original instruments.

The closing work was the wonderful Nelson Mass which was written at the time when Napoleon was rampaging across Europe but was performed just after his defeat by Nelson. The baritone soloist, David Greco, lent appropriate gravitas while the soprano soloist, Belinda Montgomery soared with beauty and flexibility. The alto role seemed a bit muted, as though the singer were guarding her voice. The tenor, Luke Byrne, had a lovely light voice well suited to the role.

The moving Miserere was certainly a highlight while the ‘incredible’ Credo came across as affirming and authoritative, as a Credo should be. The closing movement of the Agnus Dei had a triumphant feel, but was weakened by the alto solo.

On the whole, the evening was a great success and Richard Gill is certainly bringing us some wonderful new experiences with this formidable combination of Sydney Chamber Choir and Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra.

I look forward to seeing what treats are in store for music lovers in their 2017 season.