Testing work mastered

Press, 9 April 1977, Page 6

Testing work mastered

By C. FOSTER BROWNE i In the Cathedral of the ' Blessed Sacrament on Thurs- ! day evening, the cathedral • choir, under the direction of Don Whelan, and the Burn- ! side High School Chorale. ' which is trained also by Mr ; Whelan, gave a performance of part two of Bach’s Passion of Our Lord as recorded in St John’s Gospel. The , accompaniment was by an orchestra led by David Shel- ; ley, and by Michael Lawrence at the organ. Margaret [ Cooke played the cello parts. , Congratulations and thanks , must be given to Mr Whelan [ and his musicians for giving us a performance of at least . a part of this important and , most beautiful work. , Neville Paris sang the i part of the Evangelist. How- i ard Harvey, the Christus. and ; Michael Tatcheli. Pontius Pilate. Edith Sim sang the I great “It is Fulfilled” aria < near the end beautifully and i with good phrasing (not very j easy to accomplish in an I English translation) and the cello obbligato to this was 1 played by Ellen Doyle with i magnificent tone and poised < sense of expression. i The choir, augmented for i the occasion. >ang very well ■

ndeed, giving a strong body if well blended tone, and esponding with precision to VI r Whelan’s spirited coniucting. It created well:ontrasted atmospheres beween the shouts of the mob tnd the reflective and devotional choruses. Special mention must be nade of the excellent and nost sensitive singing of the Bumside chorale, which had t refined tone, of most attractive quality, showed greal rare for balance, and sang with first-class clarity ol words and of line. Such a result can come only from hard and devoted work. The orchestra played welland confidently, maintaining strong and helpful rhythm,, tnd creating required at-' nospheres with understand- i ng. Phrasing was shapely,! tnd precision well defined. Michael Lawrence played the continue part on the argan with clarity and wellippreciated style, and Margaret Cooke played the continue cello part with artistic tone and balance. Howard Harvey and Michael Tatchell sang with strong but frequently unyielding tone, but rreated the dramatic atmosphere skilfully and convincingly. j

' Neville Paris has a voice of suitable quality for the part ■of an Evangelist and sang < the first section, the Trial scene, stylishly and pleasingly. Towards the end, i there was some discrepancy I between what was written and what was sung, and intonation suffered as well. Great credit must go to Mr Whelan for undertaking the difficult and exacting task of

organising and preparing such a difficult performance with amateur forces. He had given carefull thought to the small details' of presentation, and his mounting and setting of the work with discreet use ofl some stage action was effec-f tive and tasteful. A devotional atmosphere prevailed throughout. [