Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society has about 120 singers, tonight there were 4 soloists. Chelmsford cathedral (once known as St. Mary's Chelmsford) I was told has wonderful acoustics. The church was turned so that we were faced away from the cross, and the choir were seated on a stepped platform underneath the organ. There was a small orchestra at ground level. The cathedral is a lovely building to be in at any time. We had tickets waiting for us, and had parked around the back of the cathedral. A friend had invited us – many thanks to him, for a brilliant evening. We took our seats towards the back, to get the best possible view around the church's pillars. By then the church was almost full. Sitting among the 600+ audience (my estimate) we waited patiently for the evening to start.
I am not a musician, and this is not the sort of music I regularly enjoy listening to. We read in the programme what the course of the evening would be. The Wiki article has a brief description. We were requested NOT to stand during the Hallelujah chorus, as apparently has become a tradition. There are two pieces in this programme that are well know, the other is 'Unto us a son is given'.
The choir processed in , lead by the soloists. The music proceeded, and was very easy listening (for me at least). Words of scripture set to music. That's all it really is. The thing to note here, is that there is no amplification. Not a microphone in sight. What you hear is what they are singing – no more and no less. The acoustics lived up to their reputation. The soloists were all very good. In the packed cathedral the audience was silent – completely silent. When the singing or music stopped there was a total absence of sound. The choir was also very good, at one stage making the trumpets difficult to hear.
Only one person stood during the Hallelujah chorus – having now heard it live, sung by a highly competent choir, I can understand why you might feel like standing! A modern day work would stop here, but Handel goes on and completes the story of the Messiah.
Live music, even amplified live music, is so mush more entertaining, and engrossing, than recorded music. The live music that we experienced tonight - without amplification – is just another step ahead. From the soloists I could hear perfectly at the other end of the building, to a choir that filled the space, and almost drowned out the orchestra.
I'd have to say “Go and see it”, but you can't, it was a one off.
Soloists
Rachel Nicholls - Soprano
Alexandra Sherman - Contralto
Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts - Tenor
Christopher Dixon - Bass
1 comment:
I have just read your message and kind remarks and as Chairman of Hutton & Shenfield Choral Society would like to thank you for them.
As you enjoyed that concert why not come along and hear us sing another choral masterpiece - Bach's St Matthew Passion also at Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 28 March at 7.00. Full details are on our website www.hscs.org.uk
Bob Scott
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