Music for Holy Week
Once again the performance by Cambridge Voices was of the highest order. Their programme on Good Friday was apposite, performed with great dignity.
The Miserere by Allegri allowed many of the choir members to perform as soloists, we knew their combined efforts are excellent and this work allowed their skills as individuals to flourish. The history of the works' performances over the years and the translation from the Latin gave added poignancy to the work.
Stainer's Crucifixion is concerned with the events of Good Friday. The depth of passion is too profound to be easily understood and the music written about the events in Gethsemane and at Golgotha is not often performed. This year, the version arranged by Ian de Massini was truly a moving experience. Some pieces, to me unknown, while others such as the Chorus "God so loved the World" were very familiar. It was a very emotional 18 minutes helped by Ian's comments.
After an interval, the company assembled in St Cyriac's for works concerning the next two days of Easter and a meditation upon Mary, mother of Christ. These four works, together with the translations, formed a memorable conclusion. We are indeed very fortunate to have such talent performing in our small village.
On Easter Saturday, Ian did his solo piece in St Mary's, playing the first 12 preludes and fugues from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier, Book 1. Here again Ian's descriptions of the works, this time verbally, added so much to our understanding. I have tried to master some of the preludes - but can only annoy myself with my inadequacies. Our solo performer gave exemplary performances of them all - it looked so easy - sounded so appropriate and left most of the audience amazed at the dexterity and panache and the speed at which some of these pieces need to be played to sound their best - no stumbling over the difficult bits.
Please come again - both choir and pianist!