HANDEL POPS REVIEW
Forty-two singers of the Edgecumbe Choir, three soloists and four musicians chose the occasion of his death 250 years ago to celebrate his brilliance. Twenty-two works were chosen from various times in his career to show his diverse styles and moods from sombre, to opera, to fiery war-inspirations and grand oratorio. That the choir loves to sing his work has a proven record. In fact, it has sung Messiah nine times; single works more than 62 times including this concert; four oratorios,
Unfortunately our reviewer was unable to attend either performance so the opportunity was offered to several musically-qualified people among the two audiences to speak on their impressions.
The dry wit of conductor, Tony Hogg, came to the fore when he announced to the audience at the start of Saturday’s performance that the first item on the programme, ‘See the Conquering Hero Comes’ was dedicated to The Bay of Plenty Steamers provincial rugby team on their win against
It was also coincidental that the choir’s previous concert fell on the Mother’s Day weekend and this one was on Father’s Day and “we may continue this trend,” says Tony.
“There were some exceptional moments which were of the highest standard the choir has ever reached,”said the Whakatane Community Orchestra’s director, Tom Bayliss. “The singers respond well to Tony Hogg, conductor, and the result was very co-ordinated and well balanced. The strongest numbers for me were See the Conquering Hero, the Hallelujah Chorus, The Trumpet’s Loud Clangour and Behold, I Tell You…The Trumpet Shall Sound with wonderful trumpet playing by Maurice Reid and Sandy Herewini. I have known Tom Oates, bass vocalist, since we were teenagers in the same town and this was the best s singing I’ve ever heard from him. I was also very impressed with organist, Anne Holm, whose sensitive playing made the baroque works very moving. She provided the right tone colours and effects and coaxed some of the best sounds that I’ve heard come out of that organ. Everyone concerned can be very proud and they are a great credit to the town.”
Perfect sunny Spring weather was what accompanied vocal teacher, Leonie McRae, when she attended Handel Pops.
“The choir delivered an excellent concert with a good balance of voices delivering a ‘warm’ sound with lots of light & shade in it. And humour too – in the two pieces arranged by Michael Diack. The programme of Handel’s music was well arranged with three accomplished vocal soloists & two outstanding trumpeters adding their talents to the Choir’s polished performance sensitively supported by the accompanists, Olga Stancliff & guest organist, Anne Holm. We are most fortunate to have the broad range of performing arts talent in our district & it must also be encouraging for the performers to have enthusiastic & appreciative audiences supporting them.”
“Exciting,” was the feeling expressed by local music teacher, Marion Newdick. “It was well balanced, lively, had humour and the choir smiled throughout. There were several of Handel’s distinctly forceful compositions and then, right in the middle, was Come Holy Spirit. This showed a different side to the choir. It was all sung pianissimo and was just beautiful. Stand-out moments for me were the wonderful trumpet sections played as they would have been in Handel’s day, the men’s solo of Spring and three top-class soloists, Patricia Wackrow, Elizabeth Pilaar and Tom Oates and both accompanists who gave us so much enjoyment.”
Audiences will have the chance to hear their local choir in its final concert for the year at Christmas.
Pam Greenhalgh