Review: Peace Child
February 3, 2010 by rjwestwell
Ely Cathedral was the ideal venue for Peace Child International to present “Peace Child - Alpha Omega”: a musical journey through faith by David Gordon.
The combined forces of Ely Choral Society, choirs from Southfields Junior School, Witchford Village College, representatives from Turkey and Estonia and the Ely Festival Orchestra produced a very moving and powerful sound. This large gathering of musicians was inspired by the Musical Directorship of the renowned Andrew Parnell.
An excellent script by David Woollcombe and members of the cast brought into focus those unanswerable questions about religion, faith and the purpose of our existence that man has raised since time began. Director Abdul Shayek and Producer Rosey Simonds should be well pleased with the fine acting of the cast: Gemma Craven (Storyteller), Cecilia Garcia (Maryam), Elizabeth Marnie (Charlotte), Regé Page (Christopher) and Joseph Vacher (Aaron). Notable representatives of different backgrounds and perspectives, chaired by Canon Peter Challen, were on hand to continue a discussion of the issues raised after the interval.
Choirs and soloists were splendid and the singing of soprano Lili Kirikal from Estonia and Regé Page were particularly impressive. The orchestra gelled superbly and the quality of the performance was unquestionable. There were many impressive displays by highly skilled instrumentalists. Other notable performers were solo treble James Farmer, organist Jonathan Lilley and pianist and Musical Associate Richard Sharpey .
Fascinating orchestration created a tremendous feeling of awe and suspense at the beginning and one of the most moving items of the evening was the opening song “Who am I?”. Other highlights were the compelling “I believe” and the final triumphant song: “Reach Out” which ended the performance with a rousing flourish.
Ely Choral Society's next concerts will be Bach's St. Matthew Passion on Saturday 27th March and on Summer Concert and the launch of Ely Youth Choir on Friday 18th June. Contact: www.elycathedral.org
Peace Child International may be contacted on tel: 01763274459 or visit                      email: info@peacechild.org

'' Review of Ely Choral Societys Christmas Concert at St. Marys Church, Ely: A King is Born.
December 7, 2009 by rjwestwell
Ely Choral Society is producing some wonderful music these days. Under the baton of Andrew Parnell, the choir has become richer and richer in sound and in production. The Carol Concert this large group of commendable singers gave in St. Mary's Church Ely introduced the festive season admirably.
The concert opened with a lively gem: Rejoice Lordings by A. Oldham. Immediately it became clear that choir and organist (Jonathan Lilley) were set for an evening of some considerable musical worth. Highlights were the Mendelssohn: When Jesus our Lord , Andrew Parnell's arrangement of Come, thou Redeemer of the earth and the lullaby The Infant King. These works were particularly well suited to the choir and produced exquisitely sustained musical lines and textures that were treated with rare sensitivity.
The programme contained a variety of other Christmas music such as an ambitious Ave Rex by William Mathias and charming more traditional works: Joseph and the angel and Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.
The evening was enhanced with an interesting choice of readings interspersed between traditional carols for audience participation. Dorothy Sayers, one time daughter of the vicar at Bluntisham, wrote a series of controversial plays for the BBC. The selection chosen from these plays added spice to events and reminded the audience of how century-old issues such as the conflict between power and love or of freedom and order and the nature of goodness are relevant to any society at any time. The readers of these excerpts and the soloists for the evening were commendable.
The listeners left the church with the recurring strains of A Somerset Carol echoing in their thoughts, providing strong affirmation that this had, indeed, been a really good evening.

Review of Ely Choral Society’s performance of St Matthew Passion in Ely Cathedral on 27th March 2010

March 28, 2010

Ely Cathedral was the ideal place for a splendid seasonal performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. The massive choir, highly competent soloists and excellent instrumentalists under the baton of Andrew Parnell held the audience spell-bound as the severity and seriousness of the message of the Passion was convincingly conveyed.

The performers were Ely Choral Society, Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir, Brandenburg Baroque Soloists, Jonathan Lilley (organ), Oliver Hancock (organ) and soloists James Atherton (Evangelist), Stephen Alder (Jesus), Helen Groves (soprano), Robert Cross (countertenor), Paul Young (tenor) and Mark Oldfield (baritone).

As the first awesome sounds filled the cathedral the listeners were immediately captivated and involved. The Evangelist in a fine clear voice told the story of the suffering and death of Jesus with sincerity and convincing expressiveness. 

Andrew Parnell inspired the mass of voices and the smooth, reflective chorales moved events along at an engaging and dynamic pace that brought the music alive. There were many dramatic and exciting moments, particularly the choirs’ interpolations of which “Truly, this was the Son of God” was most effective.   

The orchestras consisted of highly accomplished performers who coloured their playing with skilled embellishments, emotive melodies and virtuosic fervour to match the variety of the voices. The viola da gamba was a particularly fitting contributor and the organists gave constantly sensitive support.

The soloists were exceptional. The Evangelist never faltered from his convincing and exquisitely shaped delivery. Ex- Head Chorister of Ely Cathedral, Robert Cross (countertenor), was another phenomenal performer, his strong, wholesomely-coloured tones heightening the extreme passion of his contributions. He matched the soprano extremely well in their duet “Behold, my Saviour now is taken”. The soprano, called in to replace an ailing soloist was no 'second-best’ performer. Her exquisite sounds, her tonal beauty and her expressive drive were among the best.

The final chorus “We bow our head in tears and sorrow” was a most impressive and potent ending to a very moving and fitting event.    

Contacts:

 www.elychoralsociety.org

www.elycathedral.org