ST MICHAEL's CHURCH, MILL HILL
SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2019
McDowall
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A fancy of folksongs
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Granados
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The lover and the nightingale
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Morley
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Now is the month of maying
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Sullivan
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The long day closes
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Campion
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Never weather-beaten
sail
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Stanford
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The blue bird
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Elgar
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As torrents in summer
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Henry VIII
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Greensleeves
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Copland
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Old American songs
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Chilcott
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Dances of time
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Charles
Andrews
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Piano
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Tom
Winpenny
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Conductor
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On the hottest day of the year with the temperature at 34 degrees the London Pro Arte Choir held their annual summer concert in St Michaels Church. The stone building cooling the air to make it comfortable for the gathered audience and performers.
The opening set of Songs were by Cecilia McDowall the English composer who had worked with the choir on a premiere several years ago. As a huge fan of her music this set was a fantastic start to the concert. The choir attacking the text and music with gusto from the beginning. The soprano line soaring above the rest of the choir in a swirl of textures and text. The second song was left to the male voices of the choir who delivered the text with good clarity. The slower third song was followed by the O No John song which the choir sang with great spirit and obvious enjoyment.
A piano solo by Charles Andrews followed - this was beautifully played. Charles has accompanied the choir for the last two or three years and is a superb musician. Sadly it was announced that this was his last performance with the choir because he is taking up a post at The Temple Church in London which is the finest Church choir in the World. Sad for the audience and choir in Mill Hill but for those who attend the Temple Church like myself it is fantastic news ! Thank you Charles for all you have done for the Choir and best wishes for your new post.
The final set of songs in the first half of the concert was a variety of old and new. A real variety of styles tested the choir and some were more successful than others. The Greensleeves arrangement was of great interest to an arrangement by Dudley Cohen who was present at the concert - and the Sullivan and Elgar were particularly well sung.
The famous summer interval with strawberries and Pimms followed which is an important part of these concerts. The sales of refreshments raises money for the choir and the social aspect for the community is also enjoyed by the audience.
The second part started with a set of Old American Songs by Aaron Copland. These are very easy on the ear and the harmonies were fully exploited by the choir throughout. Simple Gifts is a well known tune - Lord of the Dance - and the choir sang the Copland arrangement really well. The final song is a party piece for many choirs and though the Pro Arte Choir resisted the temptation to ham it up like many USA show choirs - they delivered it with perfect timing and harmonies.
Finally, the Bob Chilcott "Dances of Time" were sung and as the heat was subsiding in the Church these lush choral pieces were an ideal end to the concert, The strength of the Pro Arte Choir are the textures of harmony which conductor Tom Winpenny draws from them - especially in the mid paced songs of Bob Chilcott where they were fully on show. A standout song of the evening was the setting of Ecclesiastes 3 1 - 8 which saw the Choir and Charles Andrews hit the heights of blending beautiful harmonies, text and piano into a superb performance. The choir showing great progress over the past few years with Tom Winpenny and Charles Andrews to deliver a high standard of performance.
As usual the audience warmly received the programme and once again went happy into the warm night.
Next : The London Pro Arte Choir is holding a CHORAL WORKSHOP in September which is ideal for those who would like to explore singing. Whether you have sung before or a budding choral genius this one day workshop is for you. Just £20 ( £10 students ) 16+ Contact the Choir for more details. Price includes all music / refreshments etc.
Next Concert : SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER at ST MICHAEL's is Haydn's Creation !! This incredibly popular choral piece sells out most of its performance like the Messiah and is considered one of the gems of Choral singing. Lively with fantastic tunes the tickets go on sale soon !
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