Waverley Singers

Waverley Singers' "Kingdom"

The following review by ‘DAB’ appeared in the local press on 19 November 1971.

Because performances of lesser-known works on radio and gramophone records are plentiful today, a reviewer rarely has the opportunity of listening to one of these works for the first time "live". What a great pleasure it was, therefore, to experience a performance of "The Kingdom" by Elgar, on Saturday in Farnham Boys Grammar School Hall, by the Waverley Singers in this way!

The Singers had an excellent quartet of soloists, a fine orchestra, and, as usual, John Cotterill, their indefatigable conductor, to recreate Elgar's representation of the words of the Acts of the Apostles.

Sympathetic portrayal

Anne Collins (contralto) and John Barrow (bass) had most of the solo singing. The former had a pleasant evenness of tone throughout her performance of Mary Magdalene. Her dramatic moments were realised with the authority expected of her operatic background, and overall this was a warm, sympathetic portrayal of the part. We have grown accustomed to the face of John Barrow at Waverley Singers concerts, but custom does not stale his infinite variety! His happy association with the choir continued with, on this occasion, a reading of the part of the mature St Peter of the early Christian Church, which was likewise mature. Here was the correct blend of majesty, passion, and dignity, supported by musical taste and style.

The lesser content of the parts of the Virgin Mary and St John was presented with discretion by Noelle Barker (soprano) and Edmund Bohan (tenor). Although Miss Barker combined well with Anne Collins in Part 2 of the work to portray a movement of much beauty, her discretion seemed to err on the side of caution at the end of Part 4, however, where a greater range of feeling might well have enhanced her performance. Edmund Bohan's forthrightness was well in keeping with the character of the "Son of Thunder", and this part, though small, was none the less impressive.

Telling the Story

The success of a performance of an oratorio by Elgar depends to a large extent on the telling of a story convincingly by moulding the solo voices, sometimes in concert, with the main body of singers and the orchestra. That this was achieved on Saturday night was beyond doubt. There were many moments of vocal and orchestral delicacy and splendour. If I were to single out two highlights, they would be the Mystic Chorus and the conclusion of Part 3.

The orchestra, ably led by Kenneth Anderson, and choir indulged themselves to the full in Elgar's rich sonorities, and the telling of the story was always in the command of John Cotterill, the conductor. His well-judged balances of light and shade and his blending of the various voices and instruments did much to clarify a complex score. The provision of the text in the programme was a thoughtful and much appreciated bonus, and well worth the effort.

May the Waverley Singers long continue to provide the Farnham musical scene with interesting programmes and high-class performances such as this one!