Concert by the Choirs of Emmanuel Parish Church, Wylde Green
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After weeks of excitement from me and many others, the day finally arrived. Once again, a Cathedral standard Church Choir would be singing within Emmanuel! What made it even more special was it was the choir I sing in when I'm not playing at Bentley!
The choirs of Emmanuel, Wylde Green have a national and international reputation. In 2007 the choirs sang at such British Venues as Yorkminster Cathdedral, Hereford Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral Oxford. In additon to this, the choirs toured France, giving concerts to which all achieved standing ovations. This was to celebrate 30 years of the Boys' Choir and the Girls Choir's 10th Anniversary. They are one of the only Parish Church choirs to have the Quality and Stamina to give a spectacular performance of Haydn's Oratorio 'The Creation', and follow this the morning after with a dazzling rendition of Widor's 'Mass for 2 Organs', and still perform evensong in the evening!
The Conductor and Director of Music at Emmanuel, Wylde Green, Richard Mason, introduced the choir. They then started their programme with the wonderful 'Hymn to Saint Cecilia' by Herbert Howells, a short little piece which sure packs a punch! The voices blended beautifully in the accoustic, and our battered old organ was put through its paces by the marvellous John Pryer. The Programme included works such as 'Hail, Gladdening Light', 'Blessed be the God and Father', 2 'Ave Marias' and many other things. The music was tear jerkingly beautiful.
There were also solos, in the form of a trio in 'The Heavens are Telling', and a sumptuous performance of Mendelssohn's 'Hear My Prayer' by a young soprano.
Also, as usual, the interval buffet was superb. The choristers particularly loved the spread!
All in all, an excellent evening of music rarely heard these days. Long may this choir continue. We thank them hugely for taking time out of their busy schedule to perform this concert for us, and hope they will visit again.
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Article written by Richard Dawson.
17th November 2007 |
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