A concert, a story of connection and a legacy of 70 years of choral music
View(s):Drawn by thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light
Through the way where hope is guiding,
hark, what peaceful music rings - Martin Janus (1661)
On a balmy evening during the Lenten season, the Colombo Philarmonic Choir featured a curated journey through their archives of enduring classics at the Ladies’ College chapel. The programme was something of a homecoming for the Choir, with music drawn from the Choir’s own musical and archival memory. Over the last 70 years these works have been sung, cherished and passed through generations of choristers and conductors to the next. Revisiting these pieces was both an artistic and personal gesture as they brought back so many memories.
The programme was something of a homecoming for the Philharmonic Choir
The choristers commented that reviewing some of those fragile music scores evoked the legacy, friendships, voices and shared musical moments of earlier generations. Working through dusty archives, searching through works with pencil marks of former choristers, seeking out works which were chosen through a consensus amongst the Choir, reinforced the identity of a community choir, of the community of Colombo.
So the concert was a story of connection of a legacy of 70 years of choir music.
Opening with Anton Bruckner’s Locus Iste, a celebrated 19th century motet, written as a dedication to the Votive Chapel at Linz Cathedral which features broad organ-like blocks of harmony comparing the works with the architecture of a great cathedral, the piece was masterfully delivered by the Choir. Though often cited as deceptively easy within choral repertoire, it requires high skill in balancing intimate dynamics. The Choir did just that and should be praised for their superb interpretations. The tone was set.
Then followed a familiar favourite in Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring with its unique structure of a hymn-like choral melody interspersed with an elaborate, flowing triplet motif. The Choir presented a flowing melody which unfolded calmly through to graceful obligato lines demonstrating the genius of Bach while allowing devotion to dance. This beloved work has held a cherished place with the Choir and also with Sri Lankan choral repertoire and the Choir truly did it justice.
Rachmanino’s Bogoroditsye Dyevo, is widely hailed as a masterpiece of Orthodox sacred music, and often described as a, if not the, most popular and profound segment of the entire Vespers. The Choir delivered a top-tier performance with seamless movement from pianissimo sensitivity to full-throated veneration– the most moving of the choral works presented during the evening.
The Choir’s light interpretation of Mozart’s Ave verum corpus often described as the ‘gold standard of choral beauty’, maintained its intimate, devotional character.
Felix Mendelssohn’s “O for the wings of a dove” (from Hear My Prayer, 1844) is celebrated as a sublime and poignant masterpiece of choral literature. Tenor Vindula Perera delivered the aria with poise and depth evoking the emotions of urgent longing.
Ubi caritas et amor (Op. 10, No. 1) is the first of Maurice Duruflé’s Four Motets, a serene, cappella motet for mixed choir, based directly on the ancient Gregorian melody. The voices of the Choir came together to present a sublime homophonic work moving together, through complex vocal textures and subtle contrapuntal moments, with the modern style, using pandiatonic harmonies that are lush and warm without being overtly dissonant, the melody primarily carried by the altos and tenors in the opening, ensuring the chant remains the focus; a distinct ‘Amen’ both long and elaborate.
Haydn’s The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God chorus serves as a grand, joyful expression of praise, featured so effectively through a trio of soloists – Gabriel; Rushani Soysa-Talwatte (soprano), Uriel; Nisal Pathiraja (tenor) and Raphael; Tony Dean (bass) providing sharp contrasts between the contemplative and intricate trio sections and the boisterous chorus. The Trio section showcased the skills of the soloists before the full weight of the Choir returned.The Choir showcased both elegance and energy and concluded with a rapid, fugal section that drives toward the thrilling climax which was captivating for the audience.
Bach’s Flocks in green pastures abiding, a perennial favourite of the repertoire of the Choir has been presented by almost every successive conductor. Particular mention was given to Lylie Godridge who led the choir for nearly 20 years, and his legacy is evident in breathing, shading marks of the music manuscript of this particular work. The work was wonderfully executed.
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus a staple of sacred choral music is frequently performed for its ability to create a sense of profound peace and prayerfulness, which is just what the Choir did.
Brahms’ How Lovely is Thy Dwelling captures a ‘deep peace’ mingled with soaring, intimate joy, balancing monumental choral sound with tender melodies. The Choir featured a flowing, choral part-song style with prominent melodic lines. The technically demanding sections were carefully balanced through smooth phrasing with the emotional weight of the text, leaving both performers and us listeners deeply moved.
A beautifully crafted, romanticized setting of the ancient Latin vesper hymn Ave maris stella of Greig reinterprets Gregorian chant through a distinctively emotional and harmonious lens. The audience appreciated its emotional depth, offering a modern perspective with quiet, poignant intensity in vocal music.
Morten Lauridsen’s Sure on This Shining Night is widely acclaimed as a modern choral masterpiece. Based on a poem by James Agee, the piece is praised for its lyrical beauty, and the Choir and conductor Harin Amirthanathan did well to feature this work which is considered a cornerstone of contemporary choral repertoire. The Choir deserves high praise for their blend of dynamic control, and emotional sensitivity.
Handel’s O Praise the Lord with One Consent, a highly praised baroque sacred work, was delivered with elegant restraint and convincing vigour of phrasing of the intricate fugal choruses, an apt ending to a masterful and challenging concert.
The Philharmonic Choir will perform in Mumbai in a collaboration with Paranjoti Chorus of Bombay and Madras Musical Association at a performance of Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Bach’s Magnificat accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI).
The Choir will also treat us to forthcoming concerts of Fauré’s Requiem and a Shakespeare theme.
-Shalini Wickramasuriya
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.