Bude Choral Society Report, December 6th 2014
Glorious Remembrance
Bude Choral Society’s Christmas Concert was ‘Spirit of Peace’ – music by three great British composers, given in a packed St. Michael’s Church, Bude.
There is a plaque on the cliffs near Pentire Point that marks the spot where, in 1914, Lawrence Binyon wrote ‘For The Fallen’, one of the most memorable poems in the English Language (‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old…’), part of his collection The Winnowing Fan.
Elgar was deeply affected by the suffering caused by the First World War and selected three of the poems to set to music. The work captures well the sadness and desolation of war in contrast to some of Elgar’s more patriotic works composed around the same time.
The choir burst majestically into the opening poem, giving a glimpse of the strong ensemble singing to follow.
When Kath Morrison (soprano) raised the roof with her amazing declamatory power, we knew we were in for a very special evening. But it was when she sang ‘For the immortal stars are burning’ that many closed their eyes and remembered the great days of Janet Baker, gorgeous phrasing and expressive held soft notes.
Three works by Vaughan Williams followed- ‘Six Choral Songs to be Sung in Time of War’, ‘Toward the Unknown Region’ and ‘A Song of Thanksgiving’.
The choir showed their clear diction and thoughtful balance to give moving renditions.
The concert ended with the baritone David Fouracre joining the choir for Gerald Finzi’s ‘In Terra Pax’, a sincere wish for peace to all men, particularly in the current climate of global conflict, sung with bell-like precision.
John Hobbs conducted with smooth precision and emotional intensity in works that often required tricky tempo changes, whilst Nicholas Danks accompanied effectively on the organ.
Refreshments followed a most memorable concert and a retiring collection raised £250 for the Royal British Legion.
Sopranos: Mary Dobson, Janet Fisher, Sarah Gainsbury, Sheila Granger, Jill Johns, Julie Martin, Eibhlis Patrick, Jo Piedot, Yasmin Rowland, Sue Uglow, Margaret Varley, Chris Williams
Altos: Valerie Adams, Rosie Beat, Sue Brooks, Annette Cole, Helen Coulson, Bella Forsyth, Helen Hocking, Gill Johns, Rosemary Lee, Pat Long, Barbara Pope, Ruth Puddick, Kay Purslow, Elizabeth Rolfe, YveSchulke, Betty Stabb, Lynne Sullivan
Tenors: John Brooks, Peter Coulson, David Fisher, David Puddick, Mike Richardson, Philip Uglow, Angie Whitehurst
Basses: Jane Addy, David Cleverley, Robert Cole, Peter Hillenbrand, Jim Long, David Mitchell, Richard Sullivan
Rehearsal Pianist: Sylvia Goldspink.