Cumbria Singers Concert 26^th April 2025  in Carlisle Cathedral  : Review

It was a great privilege to be in the audience for the annual concert given by the Cumbria Singers. An imaginative and challenging programme had been devised with accompaniment provided by instrumentalists of the British Sinfonietta plus Edward Taylor on the organ.

The evening began with the Requiem of Bob Chilcott. It is unique in its text with the addition of a prayer in English and with some of the more vengeful and wrathful texts omitted. So, the largely reflective and meditative mood was very well captured by soloists and choir alike. More dramatic moments were there but were always well controlled and never overdone. Intonation in the choral singing was exemplary, and the instrumental backing was highly sensitive.

 

Soprano, Charlotte O’Hare and tenor, Thomas Elwin were soloists par excellence with the final solo soprano phrase rising beautifully heavenward. It sent shivers down my spine. This performance was dedicated with thanks to the memory of Pope Francis, whose funeral took place only a few hours earlier.

 

 

 

The second half began with the five Mystical Songs of Vaughan Williams. In the past I was lucky enough to perform the solo part where the poet, George Herbert, was married, in Edington Priory. Here we have truly wonderful Music and inspirational, spiritual words. Baritone soloist, Malachy Frame sang with a warm, rich tone and perfect technical control. Maybe, there was more depth and insight to find in these songs but the singing was expressive nonetheless and diction had complete clarity.

 

 

 

 In the main the choir is performing a supporting role but they really came into their own in the Antiphon at the end which was sung with great relish and exuberance. Accompaniment here was expertly provided by organist, Edward Taylor.

 

 

 

 

The concert concluded with the Gloria by John Rutter. Here we had a different set of instrumentalists, this time a large brass ensemble and percussion, with some delicate organ passages. The Tuba was only a few inches from my nose! The

playing here was simply superb and lifted the evening and the choir to new heights as they sang with renewed zest as well as real poise and assurance. Our soprano soloist had a wonderful short solo near the end which was sung atmospherically and out of sight from me. It was a magical ending to this memorable concert all conducted effectively, engagingly and economically by the inspirational Matthew Owens.

 

 

 

Michael Hancock