King’s Lynn Festival Chorus concert with British Sinfonietta and soloists performing Faure’s Pavane and Requiem reviewed by Andy Tyler
Reviewer Andy Tyler shares his thoughts on King’s Lynn Festival Chorus’ recent concert...
Despite Storm Bert, it’s great to report a full and enthusiastic audience attended the recent concert at St Nicholas’ Chapel given by King’s Lynn Festival Chorus, British Sinfonietta, soloists, Angharad Rowlands, mezzo-soprano and Richard Symons, baritone, and all conducted with style and authority by popular conductor Ben Horden.
The concert’s first half consisted of David Danford’s arrangement of Faure’s Pavane, Op. 50, played with delicacy by the orchestra, and this created a suitable atmosphere to fully appreciate the next work, Faure’s Requiem in D minor, Op. 48.
The choice of these two popular works by Faure was a good one, November 2024 marking the centenary of the composer’s death.
Soloists, choir and orchestra performed the Requiem beautifully and with reverence, drawing appropriate attention to the religious text, and its theme of forgiveness, faith and hope for peace. The contrasts and dynamic range in the music managed sensitively.
John Rutter’s Feel the Spirit consists of seven African-American traditional spirituals and proved to be a popular, uplifting grouping for the concert’s second half.
The fairly well-known pieces including Steal Away, Deep River and When the Saints Go Marching In are in arrangements which add extra colour to the mood of the individual pieces and their character, both serious and joyful. Soloist Angharad Rowlands gave sensitive renditions of the spirituals.
Another highly successful King’s Lynn Festival Chorus Concert, thanks to all involved! The next is scheduled for Saturday, December 21, 5pm, at St Nicholas’ Chapel, consisting of Carols for Choir and Audience by candlelight and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols with harpist Oliver Wass.
