Fri, January 4th, 2013
New Year’s Day 2013 @ 2.15 p.m.
Posted in the Concert Reports Category
ST.DAVID’S CATHEDRAL, Pembrokeshire
The Singers’ traditional New Year’s Day concert where you come and go in the light.
with DANIEL COOK Organist and Choirmaster of St.Davids Cathedral and Christopher Williams piano
- ELGAR Benedictus and The Snow
- Richard Elfyn JONES Good King Wenceslas
- William MATHIAS Hodie Christus Natus est
- John RUTTER Arise, shine
- Meirion WYNN JONES (premiere)
- In Bethlehem that noble place
- Paul WILLIAMS Cwsg fy Maban
- Eric JONES I orwedd mewn preseb
- VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
- Fantasia on Christmas Carols
- Morten LAURIDSEN O Magnum mysterium
- James MACMILLAN A New Song
- Eric JONES Gweddi’r Arglwydd
- J.S.BACH Gloria from Cantata 191
- traditional etc.
The 22nd consecutive New Year afternoon performance in St.Davids Cathedral reached a new high. To hear the comments of many at the interval and on leaving, illustrated they had listened with an appreciation of the underlying purpose of the event. This is never a concert so to speak, but an affirmation that darkness can be lightened. John Rutter’s Arise, shine was an encouraging reminder.
The familiar was mingled with the more contemporary, in a carefully arranged Christmas and New Year depiction of what the majority of Christian and others seek for answers in a complex world. Remarkable that Vaughan Williams in spite of his agnosticism, had the insight to question himself and his listeners, as witness the Fantasia on Christmas Carols traditionally performed at this particular event. The bass/baritone Tom Hunt, of Worcester lineage, was the impressive soloist.
There was boundless enthusiasm from a group of singers, with several young choristers coming early to a realisation that making music together can become a lifetime’s dedication. This especially comes through the inspiring and insistence of the Director John S. Davies, that the best must be conveyed to those who listen. To that on this occasion, add the excellence of accompanists at organ and piano, who shared and added immeasurably to the ambience created by such a leader. The preparation brought a spontaneous response of thrilling beauty.
In this context, James MacMillan’s A New Song, Lauriden’s O Magnum Mysterium, Mathias’s Hodie, Christus Natus est (soloists Fflur and Osian Rowlands) and J.S.Bsch’s transcendent Gloria from Cantata 191 (also in the B minor Mass), bore witness.
There are too many items to comment on each piece, but from Wales came a new work dedicated to John S.Davies. This was In Bethlehem, that noble place by Meirion Wynn Jones, who as a member of the Singers took part. Paul Williams was also present to hear another performance of his Cwsg fy Maban. Music from Eric Jones included his devotional Gweddi’r Arglwydd which preceeded the granduer of Elgar’s Benedictus ending the programme.
But not quite the end – after the tumultuous applause, came the spellbinding and loveliest of “old” hymns, The day Thou gavest Lord, is over, with the Singers revealing themselves at close quarters, processing round the aisles and departing into the distance, singing the last lines of the 19th century hymn.
The chiming bells brought the realisation that the sunshine which had blessed the proceedings was almost gone.