The Edgecumbe Choir’s first concert for the year was very well received by sell-out audiences last weekend at the
In a departure from their normal repertoire the choir presented “Stepping Out”, an evening of popular songs from Gilbert and Sullivan to Eric Clapton, Rogers and Hammerstein to Queen. It was an ambitious programme but every piece was brilliantly arranged, wonderfully executed and enthusiastically received. The large choir, sporting some new (and younger!) faces, was ably conducted by the affable and animated Tony Hogg and accompanied by Olga Stancliff, whose sensitive and accomplished piano playing provided both structure and adornment to the choral pieces.
The concert commenced with a medley from Oliver. “Consider yourself at home” made everyone welcome and we knew we were in for a great night. The first of our soloists was revealed during this medley when we were treated to the bell like tones of long time choir member Barbara Law.
In ”Tit Willow” from Gilbert & Sullivan’s Mikado the row and a half of male voices proved that though they were outnumbered three to one they weren’t to be outshone by the female choristers. The programme bounced from Bach to McCartney to Simon and Garfunkel to a very moving “You’ll never walk alone” from Carousel by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The arrangements were wonderful and rich and made the most of the talent within the choir.
“All I ask of you” from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber showed off the A Cappella abilities of the choir and the “Lord is my Shepherd” arrangement made popular by the Vicar of Dibley had us checking for Dawn French in the wings. “The Lion Sleeps tonight” was well harmonised by the choir who obviously enjoyed singing it as much as we enjoyed listening. Then a wee bit of ABBA in “I have a Dream” and the first half ended poignantly with Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns”.
The second half commenced with Tony Hogg sprinting down the aisle to the podium and a lively and lovely “My Fair Lady” medley. Two more local talents made their evening debut here. Another longstanding member of the choir, Avril Gow, delighted us as Eliza Dolittle and Bevan Schwass shone as Prof Henry Higgins.
“Ol’ Man River” again showed the power of the bass section and the A Cappella arrangement of “A Policeman’s Lot” from the Pirates of Penzance provided some contrast in tone from the previous item.
A real treat was hearing and seeing the Grandmother/Granddaughter duo of Barbara and Amy Law sing “Pie Jesu”. There were quite a few wet eyes in the audience as this pair, born to sing together, blended so perfectly.
The audience was also treated to some virtuosic piano playing by Dolan Cox, the guest solo pianist, an extremely talented local lad and student at Whakatane High School. Dolan played 4 pieces interspersed through the concert starting with “New Orleans Blues” and moving back through time to Baroque pieces by Scarlatti and Bach then forward to Rondo “Alla Turca “by Mozart. His phrasing was brilliant and the piano sang to his touch. In the Baroque pieces the themes were clearly yet subtly highlighted as they moved through the voices. In the Mozart the contrasts were beautifully rendered, not only could he make the piano sing he could also make it thunder. We look forward to seeing and hearing more of Dolan in the future.
Each piece was well chosen for the night and well performed but what an ambitious way to end the concert with the ultimate Rock anthem from Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”! The mood, key and tempo changes were superbly executed and it was the perfect finale to a wonderful programme.
It was encouraging to see some young emerging talent being involved in this concert. The discipline, camaraderie and experience that working in and with a choir brings is invaluable – and it certainly looked like a whole lot of fun!