The University of Manchester’s Whitworth Hall is the perfect setting for a classical music concert. Down Oxford Road, it is like stepping from one world to the next. Its gothic wood clad, sandstone walls, high dark timber hammerbeam roof and imposing organ really left an impression on myself and the audience, and the University’s Chorus and Symphony Orchestra made full use of this setting for what was a thoroughly enjoyable, and passionate evening of classical music. To call it a “classical music concert” is misleading as the two piece performed were twentieth century cantatas, conducted under the baton of Robert Guy, with a special appearance from some pupils of Manchester Grammar School.
Sat amongst many parents and grandparents, the evening started off at half past seven on the dot, with the orchestra tuning themselves ready to perform, Kevin Malone’s ‘Creations’, a relatively modern cantata written between 1997-98, which was about the “idiosyncrasies of creation stories in ancient and modern societies.”. My issue with this first piece was not the performance, which was done to a very high standard, but rather the piece itself.
It opened with a relatively weak introduction, partly down to the SATB Quartet finding their feet amongst the acoustics of the Whitworth Hall, however this lull was quickly quashed as the second “creation story” ‘Te Kore’ began. This piece went from strength to strength and made for pleasant listening until halfway through ‘Gaea’ when it succumbed to, what I thought, was a bad case of lyrical pretentiousness. Luckily however, Part II of ‘Creations’ was better both musically and lyrically, that was until ‘Office Party’, a movement which its opening bars of the drum hit you full force like the morning after the night before and although perked myself and the audience up, ultimately fell ill to a bad case of pretentiousness again. Unfortunately, this was not recovered until Part III, before being stricken again by that “p” bug yet again, this time in the form of a Stephen Hawking inspired verse about the universe. It reminded us why the late Professor Hawking stuck to theoretical physics and not singing.
The problem with Kevin Malone’s ‘Creations’ was that I didn’t massively enjoy it. That is my subjective side coming out, however my objective side wishes to stress that the piece did have some quite exceptional music in many parts, but it was the lyrics which really left me struggling to enjoy ‘Creations’. The solo and quartet parts felt at times almost like a playground taunt, in terms of rhythm and execution. The orchestra and chorus were fantastic though. My friend who was with me summed up the piece perfectly, “’Creations’ attempts at profoundness (mostly falls short) and was combined with ill attempts at humour. Nevertheless it was a really interesting idea for a piece of music but it felt unsatisfying.”. He hit the nail on the head there, it left me feeling unsatisfied and wanting more, which is why it was the perfect first piece to this concert; because what followed after the interval, answered every need I wanted and was simply stunning.
We have all heard of Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ (1935-36). Trust me if the name does not ring a bell, its opening movement ‘O Fortuna’ will. There could not have been a better venue for the piece than the Whitworth Hall. It was here that the chorus really shined, demonstrating their vocal prowess and filling every inch of the hall with beautiful Latin. This piece really showcased the relationship between orchestra and chorus as no cues were missed, and no beats skipped. The conductor showed his true colours as a physical conductor, although not quite reaching the heights as “...one of the sweaty ones.” to quote Sir Adrian Boult.
It was here too that Eleanor Garside (Soprano) and Stuart Orme (Baritone) really stood out in their performances, as it must have been no easy feat to fill the hall with just one voice. Garside was delectably angelic and truly captivating when it came to her performance of ‘In Trutina’; the movement itself being one of my highlights of the evening.
There is one unwelcome(?), unwanted truth however that comes with a piece such as ‘Carmina Burana’, and that is as excellent as it all was, as long as the orchestra and chorus absolutely kill ‘O Fortuna’ (which they did) then the success of rest of the piece is secured because everyone has heard the movement they know and ultimately do not care as much to what they hear until ‘O Fortuna’ is repeated at the end. This sounds very harsh of me, but I feel it’s true with any classical piece that has such a popular, widely used and impressive opening. That being said some movements really did stand out, ‘Ecce Gratum’ being delightfully exquisite.
If I had to be “that person” and critique the orchestra, it would be that the brass section, which at times along with the percussion (albeit briefly), did drown out the soloists and one of the horns seemed slightly out of tune but I could not pinpoint who. This should not detract from the skill and effort put in by these talented students, as these pieces were not easy to play. Before the music commenced Guy described the concert as a “real feast” and he could not have put it better if he tried. As mixed as I was about ‘Creations’ it served as a demonstrative tour de force, which set the tone for the evening and earmarked the excellence of the University’s Symphony Orchestra and Chorus making myself envious of the musicians and making me want to pick up my clarinet again. This was one of the best varsity music concerts I have been to and would eagerly recommend the University’s chorus and symphony orchestra to anyone.
Reviewer - Daryl Griffin
on - 30/3/19
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