Yesterday I went to see (and listen to) a performance of Pro Musica, the women’s choir from a few towns over. They celebrated their 25 year jubilee with a concert in the church in their town. To help them celebrate, they invited a number of guest performers to sing with them. Among them, a number of men of the choir my uncle sings in, including said uncle. Because of that, Mom and I decided to go, and it would be more fun for my aunt to have company in the audience.
They started with Alta Trinita Beata before the opening words and followed this with a top five of their favourite songs, as chosen by the members themselves. Then they introduced the Roder Boys’ Choir. A highly trained and well respected choir in the English tradition, robes and all. They sang a few songs and the director explained some things about the English choir tradition and how progressing through the choir works, as two of the boys present were new members of the choir itself (probationers).
This was followed by their regular pianist playing two instrumental duets with an organist playing the small church organ.
Then, it was time for the main piece, the Requiem of Gabriel Fauré. It had long been their dream to sing this, but, as a women’s choir, they lacked the male voices required. So, for their jubilee, they decided to ask a number of project singers to come and help. They rehearsed for months, and it culminated in a beautiful performance of a beautiful piece of music. The only thing I found intrusive occasionally, was the piano. It had a tendency to be too loud, and too persistent in a melody which, to my ear, didn’t quite match the vocals. However, seeing as this was their regular, professionally trained, pianist, I assume this was due to acoustics and my less than optimum seat.
All in all, I enjoyed it, musically, but seating was sub-par.
Programme:
Pro Musica
- Alta Trinita Beata
Opening Words
Pro Musica
- In Humility our Savior (M.J. Gabbott, T.H. Prichard)
- I Will Sing With the Spirit (J. Rutter)
- Pater Noster (A. de Klerk)
- Nigra Sum (P. Casals)
- Cantique de Jean Racine (G. Fauré)
The Roder Boys’ Choir
- Wohl mir, das ich Jesum habe (J.S. Bach)
- Wash Me Thoroughly (S.S. Wesley)
- Nunc dimitis (from the canticles in G) (C.V. Stanford)
- If Thou Shalt Confess (C.V. Stanford)
Liesbeth Wildeveld & Jan de Roos
- Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit BWV 106 (J.S. Bach)
- Slavische Dans opus 72 nr. 2 (A. Dvořák)
Pro Musica with Project Singers
Requiem by Gabriel Fauré
- Introit et Kyrie
- Offertoire
- Sanctus
- Pie Jesu
- Agnus Dei
- Libera Me
- In Paradisum