Review of Songs of Farewell Concert
| Type of post: | Press article |
| Sub-type: | Remembrance |
| Posted By: | ... [Webmaster] |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Sun, 9 Nov 2025 |
A thoughtfully designed programme for Remembrance Weekend was confidently delivered by Southern Voices’ chamber choir in St Paul’s Church, Winchester. This proved to be an intimate venue, giving maximum clarity to all items, even if city fireworks punctuated some of the music in a strangely war-like manner. The repertoire chosen was framed by Parry’s six Songs of Farewell composed during World War I placed around excerpts from a Requiem
by Liverpudlian Ian Venables (b.1955).
The latter had a delicate organ accompaniment played, along with two short solos (by Purcell and Parry), by George Castle. But the largely unaccompanied Pie Jesu showcased the secure, rich soprano voice of one of the choir’s current young scholars, Annabelle Baker. Venables’ lush yet at times poignant harmonies were in safe hands with this choir, which performed with voices randomly mixed - not in traditional voice parts. Whilst occasionally exposing individual singers and denying the conductor the ease of cueing separate parts, this arrangement enhanced the blend of the ensemble to the satisfaction of the appreciative audience.
Anthems by David Briggs, William Harris, Thomas Tomkins and Scotsman Robert Ramsey completed the programme. Ramsey’s 6-part How are the mighty fall’n was particularly impressive in the clear, impassioned tackling of its complex textures. Listeners could also savour careful diction throughout the concert - all testimony to the preparation of conductor Jamal Sutton, whose expressive gestures always benefit his singers.
-- Derek Beck
by Liverpudlian Ian Venables (b.1955).
The latter had a delicate organ accompaniment played, along with two short solos (by Purcell and Parry), by George Castle. But the largely unaccompanied Pie Jesu showcased the secure, rich soprano voice of one of the choir’s current young scholars, Annabelle Baker. Venables’ lush yet at times poignant harmonies were in safe hands with this choir, which performed with voices randomly mixed - not in traditional voice parts. Whilst occasionally exposing individual singers and denying the conductor the ease of cueing separate parts, this arrangement enhanced the blend of the ensemble to the satisfaction of the appreciative audience.
Anthems by David Briggs, William Harris, Thomas Tomkins and Scotsman Robert Ramsey completed the programme. Ramsey’s 6-part How are the mighty fall’n was particularly impressive in the clear, impassioned tackling of its complex textures. Listeners could also savour careful diction throughout the concert - all testimony to the preparation of conductor Jamal Sutton, whose expressive gestures always benefit his singers.
-- Derek Beck
