Chepstow Choral Society continued their 2004/2005 season with a "French Music for Passiontide" Concert at St Mary's Church, which was both highly accomplished by all musical standards as well as being a very appropriate programme for the Lent calendar.
The Choral Society has established a regular performance of sacred and suitable music for Passiontide in recent years, and the recent concert was one of the more ambitious undertakings. The principal item of the programme, Maurice Durufle's highly moving and acclaimed Requiem, demanded considerable musical achievement from all participants, and the Choral Society rose to the challenge admirably. The work was performed with the orchestra setting of strings, brass, percussion, harp and organ, with the soloists being Elizabeth Stevens (mezzo-soprano), Gavin Watts (baritone), Thomas Breeze (organ) and Shelley Fairplay (harp). Rebecca Kitchen provided the cello obligato in the Pie Jesu soprano solo. All soloists acquitted themselves with great credit and the orchestra once again proved themselves to be highly professional and extremely musically competent in every way. The choral singing of this difficult work was a credit to a society which was performing it for the first time, and was yet another milestone in the Society's development over recent years. The choir also sang the Four unaccompanied Motets by Durufle, which included some complex harmonies and these were achieved with considerable musical success. Gabriel Faure's popular "Cantique de Jean Racine" was sung by the choir, accompanied by strings and harp, and was an effective opening to the whole programme.
The concert was completed by two further items. Claude Debussy's "Danses Sacree et Profane" for harp and orchestra is a piece of music which is not generally well known, but it was a delight to hear it played so proficiently in Chepstow, and was very well received. Shelley Fairplay is a young harpist with much promise for a very successful career, and this particular concert item was a highly imaginative piece of programming as well as being very enjoyable. As a contrast, Elizabeth Stevens sang three beautiful songs by Gabriel Faure, Apres un Reve, Le Secret and Mandoline, and it was a privilege to welcome her to Chepstow once again, and enjoy her wonderful singing. She was accompanied on the piano by Marjorie Duerden, the Society's accompanist and rehearsal pianist.
Graham Bull, the Musical Director of Chepstow Choral Society, conducted the performances and is to be congratulated on a brave piece of programming which worked superbly. It is never easy for relatively small choral societies to break new ground, and this programme of early twentieth century music was a challenge in every way, but one to which the Society can take a great deal of satisfaction and encouragement. It was certainly gratifying and rewarding to see an excellent audience, and the Society is delighted with the appreciative feedback which it has received after this concert.
Chepstow Choral Society now looks ahead to July 9th, when it will perform its last concert of the current season, again in St Mary's Priory Church, Chepstow. This will be a total contrast, and will be a programme of celebratory anthems and choral music, with the choir being accompanied by brass ensemble and organ. John Rutter's Gloria will be the principal item in a concert that will also include Parry's I Was Glad, Stanford's Te Deum Laudamus, R. Vaughan Williams' Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge, Gabrieli's In Ecclesis, along with other items by Purcell, Bruckner and Finzi. The Brass Ensemble will be drawn from the excellent young brass players who have played with the Society so superbly during the past 3 years, and this is a concert which is eagerly anticipated. Further information about the musical programme may be obtained by telephoning assistant musical director Marjorie Duerden on (01291) 623310. Tickets will be available at the beginning of June (£8, £6 concs.).
The Society continues to welcome new singing members (contact Marjorie, 623310, for details about singing membership and the musical schedule) and new patrons and sponsors (please contact the secretary Frances Gray on 622465). Chepstow Choral Society thanks all supporters, and extends particular thanks to all local businesses who help us to advertise our concerts, and to Anna and Ian Toombs at the Chepstow Bookshop, who have given invaluable assistance over many years. We wish them well, and look forward to welcoming them to all our future concerts.
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