Magical Mozart & Heroic Haydn
Saturday 28th March 2009 THERE were a lot of classical music events to choose from this weekend, which could be why so few people turned up to watch the Ceramic City Choir's Magical Mozart and Heroic Haydn concert at the Victoria Hall.
The venue was noticeably empty but for those who didn't buy tickets it can only be said that they missed a treat.
Accompanied by the Manchester Camerata and with four confident soloists on the bill, including the popular Denise Leigh, the choir and conductor Oliver Neil Parker worked well to present a thoroughly enjoyable, not to mention accessible, programme of Haydn and Mozart that, at only an hour-and-a-half, left the audience wanting more.
Haydn's Insanae et vanae curae was the opening piece of Saturday night and one that did well to highlight the choir's precise timing, articulation and newfound confidence. Like most choirs, there were moments when certain sections overpowered others but this did not detract from the professionalism they expressed.
Contrasting slightly, it was Mozart's Laudate Dominum, the third piece of the night, that really made the audience sit up and listen as the choir was joined by Denise Leigh for a work that was beautiful, serene and wonderfully executed.
Back to Haydn for the end of the first half and his impressive Te Deum in C. This piece, the longest of the night so far, gave the orchestra a chance to shine as its members gave a great interpretation of the score and blended well with the singers.
The second half was dominated by Haydn's Nelson Mass, which introduced mezzo-soprano Yvonne Lea, tenor Graham Neal and bass Samuel Evans to the stage for the first time. This work brought to a close a very polished concert that seemed to signify a new era for the choir.
It was just a shame more people didn't turn up to see it.
Liz Rowley, Sentinel March 30th 2009
Saturday 26th April 2008
'The Armed Man'
.....The combined voices of the Ceramic City Choir, Leek Phoenix Singers and the Pugin Singers produced a profoundly moving performance communicated with great compassion and warmth. The energy of the choir was remarkable; they sang with great precision throughout and were careful to maintain the atmosphere between movements, holding the stillness and silence........
Sunday 29th April 2007
Elgar - Dream of Gerontius
...gave a thrilling and uplifting performance of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius in the Victoria Hall last night. ................ Anne-Marie Owens (mezzo-soprano) seldom referred to her score, thereby communicating directly with the audience; her final Alleluia was a moment of shattering intensity. The orchestral playing was polished throughout and the serene instrumental introductions created an atmosphere of tranquility. The excellent combined chorus of some 200 singers confidently portrayed all different moods from the triumphant 'Praise to the Holiest in the Height' to the evil Chorus of Demons. They sang with purpose, focus and dynamic contrast.
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Saturday16th December 2006
Family Christmas Concert
'Night of carols we all know and love - a chorus from Bach's Christmas Oratorio ushered in an astoundingly varied and entertaining concert at the Victoria Hall in Hanley.
It was sung by the Ceramic City Choir, whose Family Christmas concert the occasion was, with a lengthy programme that found space for old favourites as well as some charming music by school children, great brass rhythms, and - would you believe - the irresistible, foot tapping drive of a Caribbean steel band.
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Saturday 4th November 2006
Memorable Mozart
'Memorable Mozart' - that was the title given by the Ceramic City Choir to its superb concert at St George's Church, Newcastle. In front of a packed audience it turned out to be memorable in more ways than one.
Top of the bill was the performance of Ian Tracey, organist and master of the choristers at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. He did several stints at the terrific St George's organ...........Tracey quickly demonstrated a subtle Mozart style that was, perhaps, more dramatic than lyrical, though the singing throughout was wonderfully expressive.
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Saturday 1st April 2006
Rutter conducts Rutter
(John Rutter conducting his own work)
Saturday night's 'Rutter conducts Rutter' at Hanley's Victoria Hall attracted a full house, as was to be expected .....
The evening opened with a cycle of his folk song settings titled 'The Sprig of Thyme' and the choir sang exquisitely in this rich banquet of nostalgia. Next came the problematic part of the concert, 'Magnificat', first performed in New York's Carnegie Hall. Melanie Marshall (as the soloist) quickly revealed herself as one of those mezzos for whom the acoustically-blessed Victoria Hall might have been built.
There were thrills aplenty from both soloist and chorus, especially in the Et Misericordia. In 'Feel the Spirit', a cycle of seven spirituals Melanie came into her own and with the choir swept us all of our feet.
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