GRAVESHAM CHORAL SING TO PACKED CATHEDRAL
Rochester Cathedral was absolutely packed on Saturday evening for the main concert of the year given by
Gravesham Choral Society and the audience enjoyed a splendid evening of music-making. The extensive applause
for both the major items in the programme was testimony to the high standards achieved by the choir, orchestra
and soloists under the superb direction of Alan Vincent.
The orchestra, with over 60 players, began with a very accomplished performance of
Saint-Saëns' "Organ" Symphony, with Roger Sayer providing the organ solo and Daniel Weatherly
leading the orchestra. The organ is clearly not a regular member of a symphony orchestra but,
in the cathedral setting and with Saint-Saëns' imaginative orchestration, the piece was well
chosen. The final movement gave the organ a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate its full power
and the finale was particularly energetic.
The choir then joined the orchestra in a performance of Sir William Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast",
marking the fact that 2002 is the centenary of Walton's birth. First performed in Leeds in 1931
and based on a text compiled by Osbert Sitwell, this oratorio retains all its energy and mystery. Much
twentieth-century music challenges the listener's ear and Walton ensures that there are many dissonant
chords and syncopated rhythms for the musicians to deal with.
However, the Choral Society members rose to these challenges very well, remembering the many subtleties
of timing and dynamics that have been rehearsed carefully since January. The choir of nearly 130 singers
was augmented on this occasion by twelve members of Rochester Choral Society, whose support has been much
appreciated. The solo passages were sung very capably by Simon Thorpe, joining us during a break from his
work with the English Touring Opera. Currently wearing what looks like a Babylonian beard, he could have
just come from Belshazzar's Feast itself!
The Society's next concert is in St George's, Gravesend, on 29th June and includes works
by Fauré, Stanford and Duruflé.
Copyright © Gravesham Choral Society 2006