The ANU Choral Society
Conducted by Leonard Weiss
Wesley
Uniting Church, Forrest, November 6
Reviewed by Len Power
Conducted by Leonard Weiss, the ANU Choral Society’s 'Death
And Glory' concert presented Handel's Coronation Anthems and Mozart's Requiem.
Handel's Coronation Anthems were commissioned for George
II's coronation which took place on 11 October 1727. Three of the anthems were performed in this
concert.
Beginning with “Zadok the Priest”, the choir handled the
dynamic opening of this anthem with great confidence and there was a good
balance between the choir and the orchestra.
The choir’s singing of the quiet passages of the second
anthem, “Let Thy Hand be Strengthened” was impressive in its sensitivity and
the third anthem presented, “The King Shall Rejoice”, was passionately
sung. The trumpet playing by Farzana
Choudhury, Keydan Bruce and Sam Hutchinson, so important to this work, was
excellent.
Mozart’s Requiem, uncompleted at the time of his death in
1791, is a work that never fails to stir the emotions. In this concert, the choir sang the version
completed by Richard Maunder.
From the spectacular opening to the optimistic ending, the
audience is treated to one of the most involving and memorable works ever. The choir sang it really well from start to
finish.
Soloists Rachael Duncan, Janene Broere, Charles Hudson and
Andrew Fysh sang impressively and, again, the blend of voices in the quieter
passages of the work was especially fine.
The combination of orchestra and voices in the “Lacrymosa” was intensely
moving.
Leonard Weiss conducted these works with great assurance and
everyone involved provided the audience with an evening of music to remember.
Photos by Peter Hislop
Len Power's reviews can also be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 'Artcetera' program from 9.00am on Saturdays.
