Refreshing programme

Press, 6 November 1978, Page 13

Refreshing programme

By C. Foster Browne At the Cathedral lunchhour recital on Friday the Hamionic Chorale began its refreshing programme with Handel’s coronation anthem, “The King shall Rejoice,” conducted by Nan Anderson and accompanied on the organ by David Childs. There was flexible strength in the performance, with bright tone, and lively rhythm. Balance between voices and organ was excellent. Some English madrigals hv Bartlet, Gibbons, and Morley, were clearly and rhythmically sung, and were stylish in manner of performance. These were fol-' lowed by four German folk songs arranged by Brahms.! The Christmas motet, “Hodiej Christus Natus Est” made a : very effective ending to the ■ programme. It was clearly! sung with good tone, except occasionally from the tenors

I announcing each section of I the work. ■i Occasionally the tempi (were rather fast for good: clarity in the building. Sing-j '!ers in the Cathedral should I have confidence that the! , building will preserve clarity | iat pianissimo level. In-! donation, on the whole, was! i good, give or take a few vi-l ■ ’brations at times. I Mr Childs conducted with ..firm purpose and under-1 I standing, keeping forward!moving rhythm. Jillian Bartrum (soprano) sang arias by Handel and j Vivaldi, accompanied by Nan ’ Anderson with her usual! | skilled support. Miss Bar-1 [ trum has a voice of lively vitality and pleasant tone. I ! She can gain strength withlout forcing, and phrases! with supple and lively shap- I ing of the music. Whatever! (has to be said should be printed in the programme,] ■for it is not possible to be I ! heard without a microphone and chatting about the music is unprofessional.