News and Reviews

Sunday 13 June 2010: Fauré & Friends

City of Dunedin Choir and Friends at St Paul's

City of Dunedin Choir and guests - organist Rachel Swindells, soprano Catherine Daly-Reeve and baritone Benjamin Caukwell - directed alternately by David Burchell and Michael Dawson warmed a capacity audience at St Paul's this Sunday with a charming selection of works by Fauré, Dupré, Saint-Saëns, Poulenc and Alain.

The subdued programme steeped its audience in the mood of the early twentieth-century as experienced and expressed by the French. The only brusque tonality here was Poulenc's difficult "Four Small Prayers" which suffered through an initial lack of confidence, but managed to retain a sense of pitch despite the work's harmonic convolutions. The last two prayers - "Seigneur, je vous en prie" and "O mes très chers frères" - were particularly nicely done. Unfortunately the intriguing melodic twists in Dupré's "Laudate Dominum" were lost behind an over zealous organ accompaniment.

In an excellent line-up, the highlight goes to Fauré's beautiful "Requiem". Accompanied by Swindells on the organ, the choir and soloists successfully rendered its quiet menace, its awe-full melodies and teasingly short-lived climaxes to achieve ethereal excellence. Daly-Reeve's "Pie Jesu" revealed a voice of boyish clarity and fittingly celestial quality. Caukwell's "Libera Me" and "Offertorium" revealed a rich voice with dramatic strengths particularly in keeping the chant-like sections alive.

Alain's delightful set of variations for organ, well played by Burchell, insinuates Janequin's sixteenth century simplicity into the cynicism of the twentieth century. Saint-Saëns' "Calme des Nuits", "Les Fleurs" and "Ave Maria" revealed his other pictorial strengths away from "Danse Macabre". The small choir in Fauré's dulcette "Tantum Ergo" is commended, as is the unaccompanied singing throughout the programme.

Fauré's "Cantique de Jean Racine" was sung with sweet intensity, its lyricism providing a welcome comparatively spirited interlude.

This was a programme which demanded quiet strength and was for the most part a convincing portrayal of the still and small French voice.

Bravo.

Marian Poole (Review published in the Otago Daily Times, Monday 14 June 2010)

Sunday 28 March 2010: St John Passion

The Choir's first concert of the season was well-received by the audience, as was evident in the prolonged and enthusiastic applause at the conclusion of the performance as well as the following comments received:

From Carol Montgomery, choir member unable to participate in this performance: "First - you looked magnificent. The organ had red back lighting and you (the choir) and the orchestra dressed in black and white, ranged across the stage looked so professional. World class in my eyes.

I stood, unable to move for several chorales, the "kreutziges", the "casting lots for the clothes" and Howard and Claire's "it is finished". I thought you sang with all your heart and soul and I could hear that in the music. I wanted to join in and yet it was incredible to hear the music we practiced week after week, with all the familiar faces actually "on stage". I was totally overcome and you all became quite blurred for a time.

I have no idea what the review will say, but - Wow - you were great. Dunedin doesn't realise how lucky it is having "us". And we are so lucky to be able to sing fantastic music."

From Sarah Mitchell, choir member unable to participate in this performance: "I was another unable to sing on Sunday afternoon. I was there in the audience - and it was a marvellous concert!! You'll be pleased to know that for the sake of those around me, I restrained from joining in - requiring some self-discipline on my part. I was on the edge of my seat - willing you all on. And, you achieved it - magnificently! I had (almost) as much of a 'buzz' from the performance as I do 'on the other side of the black folder' as Carol puts it so well. The energy and musicality from you all was of a high standard. The orchestra was great - I loved David Murray's cello playing - the soloists were very good - and, as always, David Burchell brought it all together in great style. Well done!"