Funny old place the Barbican. Whoever I go with, they always trip on the stairs. Especially when walking up them. And in our Euclidean World, two points that are, say, 5 yards apart are, on Planet Barbican, separated by walkways, mezzanines, steps and wind up being about 100 yards away. Great place to get cultured and fit at the same time.
The hall itself is an impressive space. A couple of years ago massive Rothko style drapes of purple and raspberry were suspended from the ceiling giving the eye something to alight on when the music starts to drag. I recall this detail from memory as CEFC’s Centenary concert of Elgar’s masterpiece kept my eyes firmly on the performance area.
Sadly the audience was at less than 50% capacity, perhaps reflecting the relative obscurity of the piece. The stay-at-homes missed a marvellous evening.
Following a solemn orchestral prelude we hear in the Choral Prologue the first stirrings of the wonders that the Chorus can conjure up. For this concert it has been teamed up with a community orchestra from Waltham Forest - the Forest Philharmonic, and a great pairing they made. The Forest is a big, sprawling, enthusiastic and vigorous ensemble that perfectly compliments CEFC’s approach to pieces like this.
There were also six soloists at conductor David Temple’s disposal. All excellent in their respective roles of Jesus, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Peter, John and Judas, the later sung brilliantly by Roderick Earle (who bears more than a passing resemblance to a pantomime baddie).
In a piece nearly two long hours there are many highlights: the mingling of soloists, choir and harp in "Mercy and truth are met together" was fabulous; the death of Judas was dramatic and actually frightening; and, in the finale (the Ascension) the Apostles and the Holy Women were powerful, moving and mystical.
The name of this piece is a bit misleading - it is more a life of Christ or, even more accurately, an account of the frailty and torment of Judas: a insight seized on by Mr Earle.
The choir as ever was splendid. Controlled, delicate, powerful but above all they have the ability to transmit their enthusiasm to the audience. Next time, try and be part of the missing 50%.
