MADAM,

The Blake Theatre was the venue for Monmouth Choral Society’s Beyond the Danube concert on Saturday 12th November.

Conducted by Steven Kings, the programme featured a Czech work and two Latin masses by three towering central European musicians.

Leoš Janácek’s Otcenáš, composed in the early years of the twentieth century, is a setting of The Lord’s Prayer. Sung in its original language, each movement flowed seamlessly with fitting dynamic and tonal contrasts between the chorus and the excellent tenor soloist Andrew Henley. Kathryn Rees-Peak and Sam Bayliss contributed to the overall texture with their sensitive harp and organ accompaniments.

Zoltán Kodály’s Missa Brevis dates from the time of the Second World War and speaks of hope amidst oppression. In addition to the usual six movements of the mass, there is an opening and closing section for solo organ. The Gloria was a highlight, where the joyous choral sections, sung with clarity of tone and clear diction by the choir, contrasted well with the more meditative central solo section.

Written some sixty years earlier for the consecration of a new chapel on a private estate, Antonin Dvorák’s modest, yet charming Mass in D, was performed with assurance by the choir and soloists. The faith affirming Credo, in particular, demonstrated sustained lyrical lines and moments of crisp attack as well as high drama in the Crucifixus, though a little detail was lost in the fugal section.

The solo vocal quartet of Phillippa Lay (soprano), Anne Braley (mezzo soprano), Andrew Henley, (tenor) and Robert Garland (baritone) added greatly to the performance of the two masses as did the skilful organ playing of Sam Bayliss.

Keith Ellerington

(Monmouth)