ISSN: 1391 - 0531
Sunday May 11, 2008
Vol. 42 - No 50
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An ambitious programme executed very well

By Carmel Cane

Seated in the beautiful All Saints Church, Borella, awaiting the performance of Music for Easter Saturday, by Camerata Musica, prepared in co-operation with the Goethe-Institute Sri Lanka, (German Cultural Centre), I studied the programme notes and was immediately struck by the fact that this was an ambitious programme bearing in mind that most of the performers have to sandwich their musical pursuits between fulltime jobs, studies or caring for families and running their homes. I pondered on all the hard work and dedication required to pull this one off. I know this lovely island is chock a block of fine musical talent, but this programme would present a mighty challenge to any professional choir.

Ah! Wait a minute! Reading the rest of the programme cover I spy at the very bottom of the page Conductor: Gregory Rose. This internationally acclaimed composer/conductor/arranger, professor of conducting at Trinity College of Music London currently on his fifth visit to Sri Lanka, has proven on many occasions, his wonderful ability to bring out the best in any choir or orchestra he works with. I'm sure this is because he is the epitome of the perfect gentleman, possessing a unique ability to empathize with the performer, having initially started his professional career as a singer. His vast experience with world-renowned choirs and orchestras including the London Philharmonic, make him much sought after worldwide. Yet he still finds time within his busy schedule to come here almost annually – lucky Lanka!

Gregory Rose

Back to the All Saint's church – with the choir, Camerata Musica and Gregory Rose poised to commence the first item of the evening, the Six Responsories for Holy Saturday. The Latin texts trace the major events of the last days in the life of Christ, and quote extensively from the Gospels. Composed by Orlando Lassus – (1532-94), the Flemish composer who spent most of his formative years in Italy, and later became choir master of St. John Lateran Rome, and then worked in Antwerp before taking service at the Bavarian Court in Munich where he settled and died at the age of 62 years having completed over 2000 works.

Hats off to the Camerata choir! This was an example of a cappella singing at its finest. A very difficult thing to do. The choir, without the support of an accompaniment and therefore having to independently maintain correct pitch, while the vocal nudity would have mercilessly revealed any flaws, demands great competence or bravado, or both. I was quite frankly "blown away".

Next we were treated to the premiere performance of an impressive work composed by Gregory Rose and dedicated to Camerata Musica, entitled Clarifica Me Pater (2008). This hauntingly beautiful piece, the text of which is from the beginning of the last prayer of Jesus before his betrayal, trial, and crucifixion, St. John's Gospel Chapter 17, verses 1-5 (King James Bible) "Father the hour is come"etc. Gregory Rose ingeniously portrayed every emotion one would imagine Christ probably felt prompting each word of the text. The overall effect was very moving.

The choir and orchestra gave a highly commendable performance, and clarinetist Ajith Abeysekera rendered his solo with great sensitivity. I look forward to hearing this breath-taking work again soon.

The Seven Last Words at Christ on the Cross by Joseph Haydn was the third and final work on the programme. A huge work – duration over an hour. It was originally written for orchestra only, in the form of seven slow movements for performance in Cadiz Cathedral (1785) as incidental music to a Lenten service when the words were read and preached on. Haydn arranged the music later for string quartet and piano, and later still as a cantata, the text including the "Words" themselves. This work almost entirely Adagio, Grave, Largo or Lento - very slow, required great skill especially from the choir which certainly thrilled us all with their expressive, heartfelt interpretation of the text, and spacious unbroken legato vocal lines.

The choir's lovely blend, good diction, and warm tonal quality made them a delight to the ear. Their choirmaster is singer Peshali Yapa.

I can't conclude this review without congratulating the vocal soloists Eriko Perera, Joanne Aloysius, Tahanee Aluwihare, Krishan Rodrigo, Rajeev Aloysius, Johan Peiris, and Sanjeev Niles. Their artistic performances showed great understanding of the style and solemnity of the works. The Camerata Musica Chamber Orchestra, the leader of which is Dominic Johnpillai, supported the choir with well-judged balance, mirroring the choir's emotive expression to perfection. I feel sure both choir and orchestra will applaud the masterly direction of Gregory Rose without whom this concert would not have been such a huge success and another feather in the cap of the Camerata Musica.

 
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