Motueka abuzz after choral concert

January 21st, 2012
[by Tom Watkins]

It might have been a poor choice, spending yesterday's lovely evening indoors, while my partner attended one of her planning meetings for the forthcoming conference. It turned out to be well worth the sacrifice and much more than the $20 admission to our local Memorial Hall. Enriching. Really.

The NZ Combined Choir and Orchestra presented the Teapot Valley Summer School Choir 2012 and the Tasman Brass Ensemble in a performance conducted by the very personable Englishman and former King's Singer, Brian Kay. The organist was Jeremy Woodside, assistant organist of Christchurch Cathedral, playing the new Wurlitzer organ. The pianist was John Pattinson.

Tons and tonnes of talent. Acres and hectares of spare seats, unfortunately; an audience of about 100-150. There was capacity for about 300.

About 75-80 voices (including four soloists) performed Parry's I was Glad (the official song of Royal weddings), two lovely pieces by Purcell (from Funeral Music for Queen Mary) and Beethoven's Mass in C Major. The well-pedigreed Kay had the choir produce a crystal clear and well-rounded sound. Following this (after an interval), one of the soloists sat next to me and I was pleased to have some conversation with her - the superb Judy Bellingham, who this evening sang Mezzo Soprano.

The highly polished brass ensemble (humour intended) of about 10 members, performed three lively pieces from An Englishman in New York.

A smaller choir of about 12 performed the psalm I will lift up my eyes, words by God (or unknown psalmist) and music composed by an Auckland choir member who also conducted. Very beautiful music. Then the full choir in Rutter's Gloria.

As the choir and audience were leaving the stage and hall, a sub-group of the brass ensemble burst into a very clever and scintillating arrangement of The Beatles' Penny Lane, on the floor of the hall. The guy on piccolo trumpet was a virtuoso, showing off with about three cadenza. I wondered if he'd have the wherewithal to attempt the REALLY high note . . . . and, at the very end . . . he did! With ease. C above high C or something equally unattainable by mere mortals. Fun, fun, fun!

The evening having ended on such a high note, I went home, abuzz. No, I walked - no buzzes in Mot.

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