Wetherby Festival » Reviews and Gallery

Elysian Singers

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Review By Tommy Jacob

Elysian Singers – St James’s Church, Wetherby, October 20 2007.

The Elysian Singers of Wetherby have deservedly earned a reputation for producing concerts of a high standard. As their offering for this year’s festival, musical director Jonathan Power has devised an interesting and varied programme with offerings likely to appeal to many tastes.

Although it was unfortunate that the final of the World Rugby Cup coincided with the date of the Elysians concert, those who made the difficult decision to attend the televised showing of the match rather than the “Requiem” may now consider they would have preferred the beautiful music than the sadness of the disputed try.

After every Elysian Singers concert I have attended people have praised the superb quality of the singing. Last night was no exception. The first half contained an interesting mixture of subjects with religious, folk and spiritual themes. All of these were lovely pieces well sung.

Anthem

Beginning with a romantic poem “My Spirit sang all day “, there followed a hymn written by Henry VIII set to music by John Joubert. A German religious anthem “Selig sind die Toten” (Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord) composed by Heinrich Schultz was followed by “Faire is the heaven where happy soules have place” a piece of English Church music written by Edmund Spenser.

“The Making of the Drum” by Bob Chilcott is a detailed description with musical illustrations of the making of the instrument. Bob Chilcott has a fast-growing reputation as one of Britain’s most popular and accessible composers of choral music.

“Bushes and Briars” by Ralph Vaughan Williams were overheard by Vaughan-Williams in 1905 whilst in Essex. It is supposedly the song which kindled the composer’s interest in folk music. It was sung tonight by the male members of the group.

Beauty

“Sleeps the Noon” is a Celtic Scottish original romantic folk song arranged Jim Wild.

“Steal Away to Jesus” arranged by Hugh S Robertson is an Af ri can-Amer i can spir it u al containing the words and thoughts of a dying person to those at the bedside. It is a piece of extreme beauty and deep feeling…

“Down by the Riverside” is a traditional piece arranged by John Rutter as the final song in a set of three American folk songs.

After the interval the remainder of the concert was devoted to two pieces by Gabriel Faure – “Cantique de Jean Racine” and” Requiem”.

Although the Singers usually sing unaccompanied, they were joined for this section by the Vivaldi Chamber Ensemble consisting of Violas, Cellos, a Bass violin and horns. Blending with Malcolm Williamson’s organ playing a melodious whole was produced which well balanced the magnificent singing. That multi-talented Elen Chennetier added to her singing role her delightful playing of the harp.

Cantique de Jean Racine

Faure’s setting to music of this prayer written by Jean Racine a French dramatist of the 17th century is well known because of its frequent repeated performance on radio. It is a really attractive piece and deservedly popular.

Requiem

Faure’s early education was devoted to a career as a musician and composer. His best known works are the Cantique and Requiem.
Although like all Requiems this work is based on the Catholic Mass for the dead and is therefore essentially a sad and gloomy piece, Faure’s interpretation contains a wealth of beauty. He omitted the “Dies Irae” (Day of Wrath” )presumably to lessen the sadness and gloom.

His reason for writing the piece may have derived from the death of his father and later that of his mother although he had at the time of her death commenced its composition. The whole piece is full of an extraordinary strength and beautiful melody in which the choir, orchestra, organist and harpist performed magnificently.

Special praise is due to the soloists. Gareth Milward’s singing of the “Offertory” was impressive, Jane Mead dealt magnificently with the difficult “Pie Jesu” and Duncan Syer stood in for Terry Gausssen in “Libera me Domine”.which he handled well.

Jonathan Power handled the conducting of both choir and orchestra with his usual consumate skill. All in all this was a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment. Look out for their next concert on Saturday 8th December at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s Church when they have invited Boston Spa School Choir to join with them in some items.

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Harrogate Male Voice Choir – “A Male Voice Miscellany”

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Wetherby Methodist Church was the evening venue for a concert by Harrogate Male Voice Choir on Saturday November 3 as part of the Wetherby Festival.

An appreciative audience were treated to a variety of pieces ranging from “Song of the Jolly Roger” to “Softly as I leave you.” The choir was directed by Mr Bernard White and beautifully accompanied on the piano by Mrs Avril Leeming.

Solo pieces were sung by Alfredo Silva, Reg Pratt and Peter Leeming, and the evening was amusingly compared by Ian Ibbotson.

The enthusiasm of the audience came to a head when they demanded an encore, and were duly treated to an unaccompanied rendition of “The Rose.”

A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Methodist Church Hall, November 3 2007. Review by Carolyn Bellerby.

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North Country Theatre Company – The Electrical Wizard of the North.

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Billed as “an hilarious ripping yarn from the heyday of Victorian and Edwardian Music Hall,” this fine performance by this Richmond-based theatre company was a delight from start to finish.

The play was written and directed by Nobby Dimon, and revealed the apparently true and shocking story (excuse the terrible pun!) of “Dr” Walford Bodie, who was a highly charismatic magician, mesmerist, clairvoyant and healer. He was even, apparently, a friend of the mighty Harry Houdini.

Wrongdoings

The medical establishment clearly regarded him as a charlatan and conman, and during the course of the play we saw how he was put on trial for his alleged wrongdoings, winning over the High Court judge in the process.

The audience couldn’t help feeling, however, that his success in court was ought more appropriately to be credited to his lovely wife Jeanie and her more-than-ample charms!

Nobby Dimon, playing the Judge, was clearly smitten by her. Dr Bodie surely possessed superhuman powers though. An appreciative Festival audience wondered how on earth he managed to suspend his wife in mid air once the supporting chair had been removed from beneath her.

Fun moments

They wondered too how he’d cured crippled accordionists of their malady as if by magic. Fun moments were had when Montague Hardcastle, played by a toy dog, added some hilarity to the proceedings.

This fine company of players gave a wholly engaging and lively performance this evening. There were just five actors, Simon Kirk, Susan Jinks, Mark Cronfield, Nicola Woods and Nobby Dimon, the latter assuming three characters during the show.

The North Country Theatre Group tours Yorkshire extensively, and if you get another opportunity to see them, do take it for you will not be disappointed.

Methodist Church Hall, October 31 2007. Review by Debbie Koritsas.

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Wetherby Silver Band – “Best of Brass”

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Best of Brass, so read the tickets, and this performance by the much loved Silver Band conducted by Owen Wedgwood, certainly lived up to this billing.

Before an almost full church the band gave a concert of bright, breezy and at times exhilarating music showcasing the full range of what brass instruments are capable of, from the slow melodious hymn tunes and classics to the full “Big Band” sound with a touch of rock and roll thrown in for good measure.

The programme started with a march “West Riding” followed by a selection of tunes from the Disney films. There followed a cornet solo “Nessum Dorma,” beautifully played by Andrew Yeomans. Next came a lovely piece written by Goff Richards entitled “Pastorale.”

Crowd pleaser

The second solo of the evening followed, which featured Heather Galloway on tenor horn playing “Silver Threads Amongst the Gold.” Heather won the first prize playing this piece a few weeks ago at the Hardraw Scar Contest and the audience showed their appreciation for an excellent rendition of this old favourite.

An Andrew Lloyd Webber composition “Love Changes Everything” followed and then we were off to sunny Spain for the exciting “Spanish Gypsy Dance.” Another Lloyd Webber piece came after this, entitled “Memories” and so to the last item of the first half, a real crowd pleaser “Rock Around the Clock.”

The audience returned after being refreshed with tea and biscuits and eager for the remainder of the programme. The first item of the second half was the well known “Swinging Safari” and then followed a beautiful and at the same time powerful arrangement by David Lancaster of the well known Welsh hymn “Cwm Rhondda.”

Wonderful

The strength of the band’s soloists was once again shown when Carolyn Ramsbottom gave a wonderful rendition of Rodrigo’s “Concierto De Araniuez” on the flugel horn. This piece was featured in the smash hit film “Brassed Off.”

The conductor Owen Wedgwood then suggested that any member of the audience could, should they wish, participate in the next item. Not surprisingly there were no takers as it turned out to be “The Stripper!”
Another rock and roll item “See You Later Alligator” followed, and then it was the turn of the final soloist to take centre stage.

This featured percussionist Eddie Sparrow, giving a fantastic exhibition on the xylophone entitled “Gee Wizz” and what a dazzling performance he gave, and received a fully justified ovation. The penultimate item was “I Will Follow Him” featured in the film “Sister Act,” starring Whoopi Goldberg.

Applause

The final item was the Big Band number which again featured the percussion department “Sing Sing Sing.” The prolonged applause in appreciation of the band’s efforts resulted in an encore, which was that all time favourite “The Floral Dance” made famous in equal measure by the Brighouse and Rastrick Band and one Terry Wogan.

This was a concert almost at the end of the Festival, but it certainly proved to be one well worth waiting for, and this was much in evidence as the audience departed with a smile on their faces, either whistling or singing one or other of the items on the programme.

St James’ Church, November 3 2007.

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Festival Service – “A Celebration of the Arts”

Friday, June 20th, 2008

A Celebration of the Arts – Address by The Right Rev Jonathan Bailey KCVO.

This was a very special service, for The Right Rev Jonathan Bailey, KCVO was invited to Wetherby to celebrate the end of the town’s 30th Anniversary Festival along with many who had attended the past three weeks’ events.

Many readers will know that it was Rev Bailey who first sowed the seed of the idea of an arts festival for our town, one that would provide a platform for the many talented local amateur groups and professional performers alike.

Calibre

In a lively address towards the end of this well-attended service, he described how late one November evening some 30 years ago, he had left a note for Ted Kilner (who of course has been Festival Director since its inception!) to pop round and discuss this embryonic idea.

Since 1977, of course, Wetherby has invited all manner of well-known professional artistes to perform in the town. This year’s guests included the legendary Humphrey Lyttelton, top Abba tribute band Voulez Vous, and much loved Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell. The calibre of performers in previous years has never been less than impressive.

Creativity

The theme of the service, led by The Rev Canon Michael Cross, was a celebration of the arts and all their vitality, and how they connected with our own spirituality and enriched our lives. Human creativity was also celebrated.

Many locals who had been involved with the Festival over the years were in attendance. Val Humphries read poems by Brian Hill, Frank Beckwith read excerpts from Charles Dickens. Present Festival Chairperson David Shaw read from Luke 19, whilst lively, rousing music was provided by the Elysian Singers and Double Image.

After the service, refreshments were served and Revd Bailey clearly enjoyed renewing many old acquaintances over a cup of tea and refreshments.

St James’ Church, November 4. Review by Debbie Koritsas.

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