The Cheese and Grain was packed and buzzing with anticipation for an “outstanding performance” by Frome Voices on 31st March.
After a welcome by the mayor of Frome, cllr Richard Ackroyd, the audience was entertained by a choir of 100 singers, professional orchestra and soloists, for a varied concert of twentieth century British music.
Frome Voices say, “The programme included works by Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Michael Tippett’s lovely Spirituals, in which solo parts were sung by Stephanie Collishaw, Janie Bradfield, Neil Moore and Gareth Burgess.
“Then followed the magnificent Gloria, by John Rutter, with rousing brass accompaniment as well as subtle organ sections, skilfully performed by Liz Kozlowski. The concert reviewer wrote that “the audience enjoyed this stylish performance enormously. The opening by the brass and timpani was thrilling, and the music had drive and precision…Alan Burgess seemed totally at home in this rhythmic, energetic style. Bravo to all the performers!”
“After the interval, the choir launched into the main work of the concert – the beautiful and dramatic Stabat Mater by Sir Karl Jenkins, never before performed in Frome. The title refers to the lament of Mary, mother of Jesus, standing at the Cross, but with modern resonances about the state of the world. A sombre, but appropriate theme for Mothering Sunday. The music is unusual, powerful and moving, drawing on musical traditions and using instruments from different cultures, in particular the Middle East. Two brilliant soloists captivated the audience: Janie Bradfield sang some incredible Arabic and Aramaic sequences and ad libs – you could have heard a pin drop – while Penny Davies moved some of the audience to tears with her beautiful rendering of the Lament – a poem set to music as one of the centrepieces of the whole work.
“The concert was conducted by Alan Burgess, musical director of Frome Voices and of several other local choirs. Speaking after the performance he said, “It was one of the most exciting concerts I have ever directed – and for all the right reasons!”
“Frome Voices’ annual concert at the Cheese and Grain has become a highlight of Frome’s cultural calendar. The choir is grateful for the wonderful support it has from within the town community and local area and the warmth of the audience’s response at the concert. One person said of the concert: “It was amazing – it blew me away.”
“It’s already been a busy year for the choir, with a concert at Christ Church in February that raised over £1,000 for their roof appeal, while back in January, a group of singers went to New York to sing in the Carnegie Hall. Future projects are being planned and we invite singers to contact us on 01373 472218 if they are interested in becoming involved. We are open to all. You can follow the choir on Facebook and a website is due soon.”
Picture: Frome Voices’ and orchestra tune up for their concert at the Cheese and Grain.
