Waverley Singers

Spring Arrives at Concert

There could not have been a more apt way to open the Waverley Singers concert in St Andrew's Garrison Church in Aldershot, than with the vivid spring section of Haydn's picturesque oratorio, The Seasons. After a stormy overture portraying the rigours of the departing snows, the chorus and three soloists introduce and welcome the delights of country life in spring, ending with a rousing fugue praising the Creator.

These movements express vividly the songs and sounds of nature in a mood of simple, joyous faith typical of Haydn, who, at the age of nearly 70, could still communicate such inimitable happiness.

The other featured Viennese composer of genius was Beethoven, (a one-time pupil of Haydn), writing, only six years after The Seasons in 1807, his first setting, (the Mass in C), of the Christian Mass text, - the central ritual of the church liturgy.

The two works performed made a fascinating contrast. Here in the Mass there was no simple light-heartedness - a more serious and monumental mood soon prevailed. Yes, there was profound joy, but also so many other solemn moods - reverence, praise, serenity, supplication; the central section, describing the birth, death, and resurrection and ascension of Jesus, was especially moving and then exciting.

This chorus, of some 100 voices, makes a fine rich sound, which follows intently the beautifully shaped phrasing and changes of volume, signalled by their excellent conductor, Malcolm Hicks. The choir is very well trained, with attention to detail; the separate sections of the choir are well balanced, with an especially good bass line, which almost never forces the tone, as massed basses are wont to do, and a powerful soprano line, which almost never goes flat on high notes.

Occasionally, I felt some of the vigorous fugal passages were a shade too polite, but generally the big moments, supported by the weight of the Tilford Bach Orchestra, were thrilling in this good acoustic.

An outstanding lineup of soloists enhanced the evening. An evening of fine vocal music from the heyday of Vienna, given in splendid and rewarding performances.

Contributed