Within the splendour of the converted Victoria Hall in Bolton, massed the combined forces of The Bolton Symphony Orchestra, The BCMCS Choral, and The BMS Singers, to raise the rafters and make music.
In the very short first half of the concert, it was just the orchestra on stage. They played Richard Strauss's 'Festival March' (opus 1), followed by Elgar's Three Bavarian Dances (opus 27). The orchestra showing off their capability this evening during these pieces, under the sturdy direction of conductor, Paul Witkiewicz.
But of course, it was the much more substantial work by Carl Orff, that we had all come along to witness, and so after the interval we sat watching a full stage with female choir seated either side on the balcony, and allowed the magic that is Orff to wash over us.
Carl Orff was born in Munich in 1895, and lived through that country's most perilous and infamous period of both world wars, serving in the first until injured. His music was extremely popular with the Nazis, and so, despite his Jewish connections, was able to continue his role as music educator and composer throughout. He is best remembered in Germany for his work in children's music education. Orff's cantata, 'Carmina Burana' is one of a set of three, but this one remains the only one to have made it into popular consciousness. Both 'Catulli Carmina' and 'Trionfo Di Afrodite' are still extremely obscure pieces hardly ever seeing the light of day.
Composed in 1935-6, this particular cantata takes its text from 'Carmina Burana: Cantiones profanae cantoribus et choris cantandae comitantibus instrumentis atque imaginibus magicis'; a series of 12th century monastic writings found hidden away in a Bavarian monastery. The languages they were written in remain unchanged, meaning the choir and soloists have to sing in Latin, Mittel Hoch Deutsch, and a variant of Old French.
The three soloists for this cantata were: soprana, Ann Wilkes (providing us with lovely sweet-sounding high tones), baritone Paul Chamberlain (having the most to do of all three and showcasing the range and dexterity of his voice in the bargain!), and high tenor, Ryan Hunt (needed for just one of the short sections).
'Carmina Burana' is a most amazing and wonderful piece of writing; with Orff's insistence on returning to more tribal rythms and simplistic instrumentation, he created a modern masterpiece of contemporary writing - despite it being harshly and unjustly criticised on its first few outings.
Congratulations to the orchestra, the soloists, and of course to both choirs, The BMS Singers (the adult choir of Bolton's Muisc Service), and The BCMCS Choral (and of course their respective directors Jane Hampson and Paul Stanley). A very enjoyable evening of music-making and was appreciated by all.
Reviewer - Chris Benchley
on - 7.5.22
Reviewer - Chris Benchley
on - 7.5.22
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