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Hallelujah Mr Handel
Cambridge Voices
Lady Chapel, Ely Cathedral
August 31, 2009
It is very easy to believe that nothing new
can be said about Handel. His Hallelujah
chorus is the quintessential ingredient to Christmas that everyone knows.
As expected, Cambridge Voices and the
Orchestra of the Age of Reason, no newcomers to Ely Cathedral, drew a large
enthusiastic audience that packed the Lady Chapel. The programme for the
celebratory concert to mark the 250th anniversary of the death of
George Frideric Handel looked interesting enough and in the hands of
an enthusiastic amateur would have been pleasant indeed.
However, nothing prepared us for the
amazing effect of Ian de Massini . This
inspired conductor, arranger and composer infused a unique vibrancy and
excitement in music that transfixed the listeners. From the beginning of the event, Ian’s
magnetic personality was apparent. No one dared move in case of missing the
most subtle of effects.
Zadok
the priest is an anthem that has often been
performed at high profile events including every coronation since George 11 in
1727. I have heard this performed often
but no other performance captured the spine-chilling effect that these
performers created this time. Under Ian’s charismatic direction, the orchestral
ensemble calmly and clearly introduced the anthem pacing it well, matching the
spirit of the music exactly. Every sonorous note exuded warmth. There was no
sight of the choir, which was a little worrying. How were they going to come in
on time, without disturbing the effect? Slowly and silently, with exact timing
the choir surrounded the audience. When the first dramatic notes were struck we
found ourselves right at the core of this fantastic work. This was just one of
many thrilling moments in this amazing event.
Ian’s profound musical understanding and
wisdom permeated the works with sounds that broke the bounds of tradition. The
spirit of Handel was alive and tonal beauty, exact and cohesive timing and
precise attention to the most subtle of expressions made his works invigorating
and exciting. This was especially noticeable in final allegro of Concerto in F major Op.4. no. 4. for organ
and in the abridged oratorio Israel in
Egypt.
It was clear that this experience was driven
by Ian’s musical vigour and understanding. ‘Celebration’ was the key and he
chose works by other composers that enhanced the spirit of the evening
perfectly.
In Part 2 of the concert Anniversary
Corner, Haydn, Purcell, and
Mendelssohn featured along with Ian’s invaluable additions. Haydn’s The marvellous work behold amazed! featured Gill Wilson’s clear soprano voice
adding a sense of lightness and buoyancy to this joyous work. Then, three short
pieces by Purcell captured the special relationship that good music forges in
sounds that represent inner religious conviction, reverence and prayer.
No matter how soft and subtle the expression,
the double canon in Sancta Maria by Purcell, arranged by De Massini, and the
pleading phrases of Hear my prayer, O
Lord, mesmerized the listeners. The
repeat of Sancta Maria with it soft
ethereal appeal was exactly right. Variety was provided by the more developed,
harmonic style of Mendelssohn’s choral music in For he shall give his angels charge over thee .
Ian’s unique touch
added to this work too. The Anniversary Corner culminated with Ian’s
sophisticated, clever but invariably musical arrangement of Amazing grace. Only Ian can mix the
traditional expressive style of a spiritual with 21st century choral
complexities harmonic colouring and mind-blowing climaxes. The attractive
contralto voice of Jenny Oldham featured her own special sense of sincerity and
naturalness.
Throughout the evening, one felt an
inextricable part of this amazing musical experience and it seemed perfectly
natural that we should be further involved and be allowed to stand and take our
own part in Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
This concert, generously supported by ADeC,
was indeed a unique and special event. Future concerts to be given by Cambridge
Voices and The Orchestra of the Age of Reason include:
Advent by Candlelight: 4.00 p.m. Sunday December 13th, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion: Good
Friday April 2nd at St. Columba’s Church, Downing St., Cambridge. To
keep informed of event, email the choir director ian_demassini@dsl.pipex.com
Rosemary J. Westwell
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