Tuesday 30 April 2013

Matthew Cann's 'Antiphon' Choir at Buckfast Abbey Giovanni da Palestrina's 'Missa Papae Marcelli' Saturday 20 April 2013

Antiphon
line-up for Saturday 20th April 2013
Soprano: Emma Perona-Wright, Catherine LukeDaisy Walford
Alto: Juliet CurnowDavid Acres, Jonathan Woodhouse
Tenor: George PooleyMark Hounsell, Tom Castle            
Bass: Charles HughesPhilip Webb, Andrew Mahon       


Antiphon remembered:

A sixteen voice line-up for Howell's Requiem


Saturday 10th Nove
mber 2012

(click
here to see a fabulous video!)
It is now nearly six months since baritone Matt Cann brought together singers from choirs around the country for an 'Antiphon' concert - a special programme for Remembrance Sunday, featuring the hauntingly beautiful 'Requiem' by Herbert Howells.

The Requiem was composed in 1932. Howells withheld the score following his son's death (age 9) from polio in 1935. Parts were used in Howells 'Hymnus Paradisi', which was first performed at Gloucester Cathedral in 1950. Matt's father Richard was in choir on that historic occasion. Matt sang (treble!) in the original requiem, when it was published in 1980 - shortly before Howells died.



In the picture above you can see the amazing combination of voices that Matt had brought together for last year's performance of the Requiem. With Daisy Walford are three wonderful sopranos - Josie Walledge, Catherine Luke and Rachel Mitchell. Behind them, Edward Woodhouse can be seen in the tenor section. Beside alto David Acres is Exeter Cathedral Events Coordinator and Exeter/Exmouth/Wellington Choral Society Director, Lawrence Blyth. Just out of shot is Ed Woodhouse's brother Jonathan adding another counter-tenor voice. Behind David Acres is the Buckfast Abbey Director of Music, Michael Vian Clark, singing bass.

Matthew Cann
with his new-look twelve voice 'Antiphon'
20th April 2013
For 2103 Matt reconvened a new Antiphon. He slimmed down each section to just three voices - and introduced some new and very exciting singers to the group.

Daisy Walford and Catherine Luke were joined by another singer from Gloucestershire - soprano Emma Perona-Wright  from Cheltenham (Company Secretary, Charity Correspondent and Supporter Administrator of the Serlo Consort.)

Returning from her new home in Stroud, mezzo soprano Juliet Curnow joined the choir as an outstanding third alto with David Acres and Jonathan Woodhouse.


Alto Juliet Curnow
returns from Stroud
There was an all new tenor team, Mark Hounsell from Wells, and Tom Castle from Bristol (formerly Exeter Cathedral Choir - and brother of Harry, who we hear in 'Counterpoint' and 'Leofric') were joined by a very special guest. George Pooley of 'The Sixteen' must have had special dispensation from Harry Christophers to come and sing for us in Devon. Just to remind ourselves of that glorious voice, we can listen to The Sixteen, with George, singing Allegri's 'Miserere' on their latest Hyperion recording.


Bass Andrew Mahon
Wells vicar choral
In the bass section was a member of the original Antiphon Choir, Philip Webb. (Apparently Philip is not related to the tenor David Webb, who regularly joins Lawrence Blyth for his Choral Society concerts - e.g. Nelson Mass, Creation . . .  but watch this space, in case that needs to be corrected!). Philip was joined by two very high profile singers. Charles Hughes is the son of soprano Margaret Aagasen-Hughes (see May 2011) and a very well-known local musician. He is currently at Exeter University and conducted the orchestra in the Uni G&S Soc's production of 'Patience' in March last year. Last, but by no means least, the bass section was joined by Canadian bass-baritone, and Wells Cathedral 'vicar choral', Andrew Mahon.


Alto David Acres
created the programme
The first thing that the audience saw when they arrived at the Abbey was the skilfully crafted concert programme featuring the, now familiar, cover image of stained glass - which looks like it might be the window of the Buckfast Lady Chapel, but isn't.

Each song was listed with a full history of the composer and work, and the full text with translation if necessary. Truly a labour of love - and invaluable during the concert, to fully appreciate the subtle wording and historical significance of each piece.



Matt conducts Antiphon
just visible in the back row:
George Pooley, Charles Hughes,

Tom Castle, Andrew Mahon
The first voice heard was baritone Charles Hughes. "Haec dies quam fecit Dominus" opened the plainsong setting of Psalm 118, "This is the day which the Lord has made". As the other voices joined in the wonders of a twelve voice choir became apparent. Although beautifully harmonised, each voice could be clearly heard - but only just. Delicious phrases rose to the surface like gentle waves, first alto, then perhaps tenor, soprano - or bass, before blending once again into the whole.

Emma Perona-Wright
a very special soprano
Four voices made themselves known as time went on. Juliet Curnow's familiar melting mezzo soprano contrasted with the male altos and the higher sopranos. Emma Perona-Wright sang subtle and naturally complementary duets with Juliet at times. George Pooley was commendably reserved in the tenor section, just visible - and audible - behind the sopranos. In the bass section Andrew Mahon was a sensational presence. With a deep tan and magnificent black beard, he looked every inch a star. His penetrating bass voice would not have seemed out of place in a mighty Russian male voice choir (or singing the part of Mephistopheles in 'The Damnation of Faust' as Richard Cann suggested!)


Mary, Mary, and Salome
Convento di San Marco Florence

Fresco: Giovanni da Fiesole 1442

The choice of music was faultless, exploring and expressing the musical ideas of renaissance Europe. Many familiar composers featured. John Taverner's "Dum transisset Sabbatum" ("And when the Sabbath was past") continued the Easter theme with the story from the Mark Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Salome bringing spices to the tomb. Thomas Tallis' "Sancte Deus" ("Holy God") reworks the Catholic prayer for holy week in four voices. Orlando Gibbons' "O Clap your Hands" comes from Psalm 47, a song of celebration for the sons of Korah. William Blitheman was a less familiar sixteenth century writer. Antiphon sang his compline responsary, "In Pace" ("In Peace") - a restful song of sleep (or death) taken from the fourth Psalm. John Sheppard's "Libera Nos" ("Free Us") was particularly apt - the compline antiphon to the Trinity - in seven voices, interestingly split between twelve singers.

"As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
so is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste."
Song of Solomon Chapter 2
Woodcut: Hans Holbein II 1498-1543
Two relatively modern compositions slipped in. From the early twentieth century Matt had selected Edward Bairstow's "I sat down under his shadow with great delight" taken from the 'Song of Solomon'. From the late twentieth came two songs by William Harris - "Faire is the Heaven" in the first half and "Bring us, O Lord God" ("at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven") in the second. Although Harris' music is modern, the words are from the sixteenth century - Edmund Spenser and John Donne respectively.

The big event of the evening, divided between the first and second half of the concert, was the 'Missa Papae Marcelli' by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. This was simply magnificent. From the Kyrie to the Agnus Dei, all six sections were sung faultlessly. Every possible permutation of those twelve talented voices was pressed into service. The resulting sound seemed timeless - and endless. What a pity it had to end eventually.

Once again Antiphon and conductor Matthew Cann exceeded expectations with an exceptional evening of choral music. With a combination of great music, clever use of voices, skilled direction and, of course, masterful singing, the Antiphon choir transformed the already beautiful setting of Buckfast Abbey into a haven of auditory delight.

Antiphon regular
Daisy Walford
Visiting tenor
Tom Castle
- and countertenor
Jonathan Woodhouse
Modestly in the background
Tenor from Harry Christophers' "Sixteen"
George Pooley
Antiphon

East Devon Choral Society rehearse for next Saturday's 40th Anniversary Verdi Gala Concert - Tiverton High School Saturday 11th May 2013

Andrew Daldorph
conducts East Devon Choral Society
in the assembly hall of
Heathcote School Tiverton
One hundred and twenty voices
combine to create Guiseppe Verdi's
'REQUIEM'

Sopranos - "Dies Irae"
Tenors: "Rex Tremendae"
     Altos . . .
. . . and sopranos . . .
. . . "Lacrimosa"        
Andrew Daldorph
has everthing under control
for next Saturday's performance!

Verdi's Requiem
(plus opera choruses)
Tiverton High School
Saturday 11th May





East Devon Choral Society
Tiverton High School Sports Hall
Saturday 11 May 7.30pm
40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Giuseppe Verdi:
La Forza del Destino (overture)
MESSA DA REQUIEM
La Traviata (Brindisi Chorus)
with full orchestra
Conductor: Andrew Daldorph
Soprano: Claire Surman
Alto: Alison Kettlewell
Tenor: Iain Milne
Bass: Samuel Evans
Tickets: reserved £15
unreserved £10 (U16 £4)
Tiverton Tourist Information Centre
01884 253494

East Devon Choral Society - Handel's 'Messiah' Saturday 8th December 2013

Anyone who tuned in to the 'Classical Journey' on Tuesday 11th December last year will remember the amazing performance of Handel's 'Messiah' at St George's Church in Tiverton by - The East Devon Choral Society. (Mike Gluyas and Mike Brett were there making video and audio recordings, which we can enjoy on Phonic FM.)

The photos below are from the 11th December programme blog, which catalogued the extraordinary smörgåsbord of exciting music happening in just the one week.

There were two other performances of the 'Messiah' taking in place in Exeter on the same night. Jonathan Schrantz (who sang Mozart's Mass in C Minor with Lucy Bray in March last year) had come to lead a Messiah workshop at St Michael's Church, Mount Dynham, with evening performance, while the Exeter Bach Society were performing at St David's Church.

What an agonising choice to make! However, anyone who elected to travel to Tiverton for the evening would not have been disappointed . . .

Handel's Messiah
St George's Church Tiverton
Todd Gibson-Cornish
warms up on Bassoon
as a the orchestra leader
slips past
In the orchestra
violin: Gillian Taylor & Marie Langrishe
viola: Andrew Gillett and Roger Hendy
'cello: Felicity Maries (& Rebecca Allnat)
conductor: Andrew Daldorph  soprano: Ellie Partridge
extreme left - leader: Clare Smith!
to beef up the choir -
Counterpoint soprano: Elle Williams
soprano: Eleanor Partridge
alto: Rowena Brown
tenor: Steven Phillips




bass: Quentin Brown
recording all - Michael Gluyas
(plus video - Mike Brett)
Hellelujah!
Andrew Daldorph brings in
Tiverton High School Singers
big finish: "Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain"
"Amen"

Jeckyl and Hyde: Four of Swords Theatre production Poltimore House Thursday 9th - Saturday 11th May Press Release from Sarah White


Robert Louis Stevenson's classic moral tale Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde has secured its place in popular culture, but few people are familiar with the original short story. Given the current trend for all things Victoriana, including the burgeoning “steam punk” sub-culture, it's the perfect time to revive and re-appraise this Gothic masterpiece!

This new adaptation from Four of Swords aspires to be as faithful as possible to the original, whilst providing scope for exciting multi-media storytelling. To this end the spectacular show mixes:

  • THEATRE!
    Remarkable performances from talented local actors
  • FILM!
    Stylish original short films shot around some of Exeter’s famous landmarks
  • MUSIC!
    Rollicking gypsy tunes composed especially for the show and performed live.

Performances take place inside the majestic but crumbling Poltimore House; a significant Devon landmark, historically and architecturally and one that has a prominent place in Devon’s culture. A percentage of the shows ticket sales will go towards the restoration fund of this beautiful estate.

Audiences will follow the action as it unfolds within the chambers of the house and will encounter new characters at every turn. Numbers are limited to thirty per show to ensure it remains an intimate and exciting theatre experience so early booking is recommended.

Poltimore House - very atmospheric
Venue: Poltimore House
Dates: 9-11th May
Tickets: £10 [£5 children 11-15]
Performance Times: two shows per night, 7pm and 8.45pm,
plus a matinee on Saturday 11th at 3pm
Buy Tickets: 01392 248398 or
www.four-of-swords.com

Unsuitable for children under 11.

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Counterpoint Choir AND Groupe Vocal Jef le Penven Devon's finest join forces with the quintessence of choral music from Quimper - Friday 10th May Buckfast Abbey - A press release from David Acres (Please note change of venue on Thursday 9th May - and £8 admission for Jef le Penven!)

Gabriel Fauré


Counterpoint & Jef le Penven

A concert of music by these two fine choirs: to include Jef le Penven
singing music in the first half by Mozart, Pergolesi, Gounod & Busto
with the second half of the concert seeing the two choirs combine to sing

Fauré’s Requiem
BUCKFAST ABBEY

Friday 10th May 2013 - 7.30pm

Tickets available by post from:

Counterpoint
5 Exe View Cottages
St Andrews Road
Exeter
EX4 2AB

Please enclose a stamp addressed A5 envelope

Cheques made payable to ‘Counterpoint’

To ensure seats, telephone 01392 490398 before sending

Tickets are also available from Buckfast Abbey Gift Shop in person
from Thursday 28th March 2013

Early booking strongly advised

Tickets: £10.00 in advance or £12.00 on the door (if available)

www.counterpoint.org.uk

www.facebook.com/CounterpointUK



David Acres


Jean-Phillipe Brun


Jef le Penven

Good afternoon

I am writing to let you know about Counterpoint's next concert, which is on Friday 10th May in Buckfast Abbey at 7.30pm.

For the past 20 year or more, Counterpoint have visited Brittany to tour and the Jef le Penven choir, who are based out of Quimper, have always looked after us and arranged our board and lodgings. They are coming over to Exeter to perform in concert at St David's Church, Exeter (not Michael's & All Angels as previously advertised) on Thursday 9th May at 7.30pm, when they will be singing music by PergolesiMozartGounodBusto and other contemporary composers.

The following day they will be singing at Buckfast Abbey. The first half of the concert will see Jef le Penven singing in their own right and in the second half of the concert Counterpoint will join them to sing Faure's Requiem. The combined choirs will be giving and emotional performance of this wonderful work and I [David Acres] shall be directing and conducting the two choirs.

Please come along and support us at what is promising to be an up-lifting musical experience.

Tickets can be purchased by sending a stamped addressed A5 envelope to:
Counterpoint
5 Exe View Cottages
St Andrew's Road
EXETER EX4 2AB.

The ticket price is £10.00 if purchased before the day or £12.00 on the door.

Tickets can also be bought from the Abbey Shop
- tickets will be delivered to the shop this coming Thursday.

Cheques should be made payable to Counterpoint.

If you have any questions or queries, please don not hesitate to contact me.

(davidacres2@aol.com 01392 490398)

Very best wishes

David Acres


Jef Le Penven Choir
from Quimper in Brittany
Jef Le Penven Choir (Quimper, Brittany)
St David's Church, Exeter
(Changed from St Michael's Church)
Thursday 9 May 7.30pm
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Charles-François Gounod
Javier Busto
- plus other contemporary composers
Conductor: Jean-Philippe Brun
Tickets: £8
(for booking see Counerpoint below)



Counterpoint Choir
from Exeter in Devon
Counterpoint Choir - AND
Jef Le Penven Choir (Quimper, Brittany)
Buckfast Abbey
Friday 10 May 7.30pm
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Maurice Duruflé/Francis Poulenc: Motets
Conductor (CP): David Acres
Conductor (JLP): Jean-Philippe Brun
Tickets: £12 (advance £10)
CounterpointVox@aol.com
David Acres: 01392 490398
Abbey Shop: 01364 645532 
Counterpoint website

Monday 22 April 2013

Events from 22 April 2013

Exeter Music Group
Symphony Orchestra

Celebrating Russian Music
Exeter Cathedral Thursday 25 April
(Photo: Nigel Cheffers-Heard)

Glenorchy Church Exmouth
Glenorchy Lunchtime Concerts
Glenorchy Church Exmouth
Wednesday 24 April 12.30am
Duncan Honeybourne (pianist)
introduces an outstanding student from
Thomas Hardye School Dorchester
Max Blass-Laker (pianist)
13 year old  who won 1st prize
in the 2012 Poole Arts Association
South of England Piano Competition
and the Two Counties Radio (2CRFM)
Andy Lee Memorial Shield
A LUNCHTIME PIANO RECITAL
Max Blass-Laker
Johann Sebastian Bach:
Prelude & Fugue in A BWV 888
Joseph Haydn:
Allegro from Sonata in B flat Hob XVI/41
Franz Schubert:
Impromptu in B Flat
Sergei Rachmaninov:
Morceaux de Fantaisie (Op3) 4. Polichinelle
Admission FREE
(retiring collection)



Marion Wood conducts
Exeter Music Group
Symphony Orchestra
Trevor Ives
leads the horns
EMG Symphony Orchestra
Exeter Cathedral
Thursday 25 April 7.30pm
SPRING CONCERT
Celebrating Russian Music
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:
1812 Overture
Sergei Rachmaninov:
Die Toteninsel
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:
5th Symphony
Tickets: £15/£12/£10/£8
(student/U18 ½ price)
Orchestra website

Michael Graham
Cathedral
Organ Scholar,
Tenor,
Musical Director.
EXODUS
St Michaels Church Mount Dinham

Saturday 27 April 7:30pm

DOUBLE CHORAL MUSIC EVENING
Charles Villiers Stanford: "Magnificat in B flat"

(for unaccompanied double choir - 1919)
Hubert Parry: "Songs of Farewell"

(Six Songs for double choir - 1916/18)
Paul Mealor: "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal"
(a set of 4 Madrigals SATB divided - 2010)

Anthony Piccolo: "Jesus Walking on the Waves"
(Treble & Tenor & unaccompanied mixed voices - 1978)

Musical Director: Michael Graham
Sopranos: Daisy WalfordJosie Walledge
Altos: Anselm Carr-JonesFrazer MacDiarmid
Tenors: Ed WoodhouseJason Bomford
Basses: Matt CannJulian Rippon
Tickets£8 (student £5)
Booking 07963 931936
Exodus 'Facebook' page


Janet Macdonald
Phil Bonser &
Margaret Chave
("Spring is Coming!" 2 April 2011)
Glenorchy Lunchtime Concerts
Glenorchy Church Exmouth
Wednesday 1 May 12.30am
Piano: Margaret Chave
Clarinet: Philip Bonser
Oboe & Voice: Alison Macdonald
Soprano: Janet Macdonald
Admission FREE







Bruton Girls School Senior Choir
Bruton Girls School Senior Choir
Exeter Cathedral
Saturday 4 May 1pm
Informal Choral Concert:
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
STABAT MATER
Admission FREE
(Cathedral admission: £6/£4)
online free entry card application

Exmouth Choral Society

Laurence Blyth
Exmouth Choral Society
Holy Trinity Church Exmouth
Saturday 4 May 7.30pm
A SPRING CELEBRATION
Conductor: Laurence Blyth
Tickets: £12 (advance £10 U18 FREE)









Elizabeth Drury

Soprano




James Armitage

Countertenor



Elizabeth Drury and Friends
St Margaret's Church Topsham
Saturday 4 May 7.30pm
FROM BACH TO BRITTEN
Johann Sebastian Bach
George Frederic Handel
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sir Benjamin Britten
Soprano: Elizabeth Drury
Countertenor: James Armitage
Trumpet: Gareth Hoddinott
Organ/Piano: Jonathan Watts
Wine/fruit-juice in the interval
Tickets: £8.50 (child £3)
from The Topsham Booshop
(telephone 01392 877895)
or direct: 01392 875922


Jef Le Penven Choir
from Quimper in Brittany
Jef Le Penven Choir (Quimper, Brittany)
St David's Church, Exeter
(Changed from St Michael's Church)
Thursday 9 May 7.30pm
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Charles-François Gounod
Javier Busto
- plus other contemporary composers
Conductor: Jean-Philippe Brun
Tickets: £8

Counterpoint Choir
from Exeter in Devon
Counterpoint Choir - AND
Jef Le Penven Choir (Quimper, Brittany)
Buckfast Abbey
Friday 10 May 7.30pm
Gabriel Fauré: Requiem
Maurice Duruflé/Francis Poulenc: Motets
Conductor (CP): David Acres
Conductor (JLP): Jean-Philippe Brun
Tickets: £12 (advance £10)
CounterpointVox@aol.com
David Acres: 01392 490398
Abbey Shop: 01364 645532 
Counterpoint website

East Devon Choral Society
(photo: Mike Brett)

East Devon Choral Society
Tiverton High School Sports Hall
Saturday 11 May 7.30pm
40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Giuseppe Verdi:
La Forza del Destino (overture)
MESSA DA REQUIEM
La Traviata (Brindisi Chorus)
with full orchestra
Conductor: Andrew Daldorph
Soprano: Claire Surman
Alto: Alison Kettlewell
Tenor: Iain Milne
Bass: Samuel Evans
Tickets: reserved £15
unreserved £10 (U16 £4)
Tiverton Tourist Information Centre
01884 253494

Mellow 'Cellos
Jane Pyrie and Hilary Boxer
Tasty Music
Lympstone Church
Sunday 12 May 4pm
MELLOW 'CELLOS
Luigi Boccherini
Thomas 'Fats' Waller
'Cello: Hilary Boxer
'Cello: Jane Pyrie
A one hour recital
Tickets: £7
Booking: Lympstone Post Office
Lympstone Entertainments
('Classical Journey' feature)