On paper, a programme that includes the Chichester Psalms,
Belshazzar's Feast and selections from West Side Story might
suggest that the concert organiser has a pretty weird sense
of humour. In fact whoever is responsible for putting together
CEFC's concerts has a marvellous ability to knit together the
incongruous to make a balanced whole.
After Bernstein's uplifting and moving Hebrew sung Psalms, we
were tipped into the flamboyant and energetic world of the
New York of the early sixties. The four solo spots were taken
by students from Mountview Theatre School ( a relationship
that goes back to 1997 when they assisted in the production
of Honegger's Joan of Arc at the Stake).
Anita Lerche felt (and looked) pretty. Then, with Rhian
Phillips, she flamencoed her love of America. A little
disappointing was the Jet Song - Dean Read and Nathan
Dowling were excellent, but unlike the commitment the female
members of the Choir gave their soloists, the men never really
seemed comfortable. They more than made amends when the
Choir came back together for Tonight - everyone threw
themselves into the song - not bad bearing in mind that
several CEFC members were probably starting out when West
Side Story made its New York debut.
The main item on the menu was, of course Walton's
Belshazzar's Feast. First performed seventy years ago, this is
a really monumental work. Starting with a great trumpet
blast, the audience soon forgets all the excitement of gang
war for the massive solemnity of this moving work. The
Salomon Orchestra works a great deal with CEFC and the
baritone Ashley Holland is becoming a welcome regular.
Parts of the brass section had been positioned on the balcony
of Central Hall and, during the "praise ye … " section, the
Orchestra seemed to be all over the place, brilliantly
interweaving with the majestic power of the Chorus. A few
verses later, we heard CEFC with the throttle full open,
savage and dramatic.
This was a great evening, full of fun, power and contrast.
