Madrigals, motets to suit every mood

Press, 4 August 1977, Page 19

Madrigals, motets to suit every mood

By C. FOSTER BROWNE Madrigals, motets and folk songs — admirably chosen for variety of moods and interest — were sung with cultivated expertise by the University Singers in the Christchurch College chapel. Graham Hollobon conducted with sensitive discernment.

The choir, well-balanced, and of pleasant timbres and stylishly differing vocal timbres, has sopranos of fresh tone, free from excessive vibrato, but occasionally of rather pinched tone on high notes.

The contraltos have a neellow sound, clearly heard, and a small group of efficient tenors give warmth, and contribute well to the ensemble.

The bass line gives clear foundational support to the ■whole. All singers combined well, with close attention to precision, and to Mr Hollobon’s directions in expressive grading. The programme was chosen skilfully, showing differing subtleties of inter-

ests, charm, and stylish individualities. Madrigals by the sixteenth century Italian writers, Caimo, Marenzio, and Gesualdo, each had their own distinctive contrapuntal ingenuity, charm, and individuality.

There was effective contrast in spirit and message between the motets by Sweelinck and Weelkes, and those by Hindemith had their own distinctive idiom, clearly showing firmness. The choir appreciated the subtle differences demanded by each composition, and followed Mr Hollobon’s detailed guidance with praiseworthy attention and appreciation.

Yugoslav folk songs, arranged by Matyas Seiber, were fascinating in idiom and character, and the performance of each conveyed widely varying emotions and pictures of army and of peasant life. They were an ideal end to a charming programme. The recital will be repeated on Thursday, at 1.10 p.m., in the St Albans Methodist Church.