MUSIC REVIEW: Symphony Of Us - The Cathedral, Coventry

That England’s 9th largest city is best known for the exploits of Lady Godiva in the 11th Century and for the dreadful destruction at the hands of the Luftwaffe in World War II is a shame. Coventry is a lively, diverse and creative city with a thriving cultural scene. It has three universities, first-rate research facilities and more twin cities than anywhere else in the UK. It doesn’t shout about itself though, and so the city which inspires such passion amongst native and adopted Coventrians is little-known and consequently under-rated by the outside world. Coventry’s year as UK City Of Culture 2021 (which runs until May 2022, the start having been delayed) is aimed at putting that right.

Coventry Cathedral is an internationally recognised and iconic symbol of reconciliation and peace, with Sir Basil Spence’s 1962 “box of jewels” sitting alongside the revered ruin of the Mediaeval Cathedral. There can be few more stunning backdrops for a live artistic performance than Spence’s 18m glass screen, etched with figures of angels and through which the floodlit skeleton of the 14th Century building is visible.

Described as a “unique theatrical symphony”, 'Symphony Of Us' adds a new section to the traditional orchestra: The People Section. The People in this case are six “ordinary” Coventrians – though as we shall learn they are anything but ordinary – marshalled by local writer and artiste (his word) Paul O’Donnell, the creative brain behind the project. They tell their stories to the accompaniment of Ivor Novello Award-winning composer Daniel Fardon’s score, performed by the Orchestra Of The Swan. It sounds a simple concept, but realising it has taken six months of hard work.

Unfortunately, one of the six – octogenarian Spiritualist Minister Lynette Coulston (“I was born in Guyana but I can talk for England”) was unable to perform due to injury and her part was voiced from off-stage by Director Tessa Walker.

The Symphony is in three movements, each roughly 30 minutes in length, and as the stories unfold during the first movement, “Us”, we learn more about the lives, loves and motivations of each member of the People Section. We see major events which unified the whole city – the Pope’s visit in 1982 and Coventry City’s FA Cup win in 1987 – through their eyes as well as more local happenings such as the installation of an escalator in Allder’s department store (it had to go in through the window with the help of a giant crane) and shared experiences such as nights in local pubs and visits to local chip shops.

The second movement, “I Found My Place” begins with Roze Navab who moved to Coventry from Iran aged 2. When first asked to participate in Symphony Of Us, she was amazed that her “boring” life would be of interest to anyone, but she, like Lynette and Malaysian mother-of-six Noor Aziz, showcases the talent and commitment which three generations of immigrant communities have bought to this diverse and welcoming city. Midwife Sam Collinge is also an adopted Coventrian, hailing from the city’s larger western neighbour (and rival) Birmingham. Moz Baker and Duncan Brightside are both “Cov” natives who happened to “accidentally” find themselves at the forefront of important movements in the city. In Duncan’s case this was Prism, a support group for LGBT youth whilst Moz Baker headed the Coventry City Trust which successfully fought to bring the football club back to Coventry after years of exile in Northampton, a fact we were all invited to celebrate with gusto by joining in a chorus of “Play Up, Sky Blues”.

The final movement is “The Connected Us” and there are some profoundly moving moments within it. A reflection on the loss of a baby is followed by a captivating harp solo (played by Rita Schindler) whilst a haunting melody in the double bass begins “Cathedral Requiem” which is dedicated to the generations of Coventrians who are no longer with us.

“The Connected Us” isn’t all gloomy by any means. Noor’s pacily-delivered reflection on the plants in her beloved garden (“We are all Malaysian Curry Leaves”) reminded me of Edith Sitwell and Willian Walton’s “Façade” which had its premiere almost exactly 100 years ago – I wonder if this was at least subconsciously in the minds of Fardon and O’Donnell whilst writing Symphony of Us?

The music feels more like a film score than a traditional symphony in many ways, but that is not to detract from it at all. Fardon’s orchestration is highly creative and, in keeping with the spirit of the evening, gives each instrument and section its moments in the limelight.

No review of this performance would be complete without mentioning the exceptional efforts of BSL Interpreter Andrea Daly whose work was integrated seamlessly into the show, raising the bar for inclusivity and bringing the talent of another Coventrian to the fore.

The audience – including the Lord Mayor of Coventry – loved the show and gave it a well-deserved ovation. 'Symphony Of Us' is a memorable tribute to what “ordinary” people can achieve, especially if they come together and organise, and works as a brilliant antidote to a lot of the nastier things that are going on in the world at the moment.

Reviewer - Ian Simpson
on 4.2.22