October 2005
Thame Chamber Choir
Conductor: Roger Moon
With: Miriam Kramer (violin)
ST MARY THE VIRGIN, HADDENHAM 1st OCTOBER 2005
For its first concert in Haddenham, Thame Chamber Choir presented another varied well-balanced programme of unaccompanied music, revisiting some of its extensive English repertoire as well as tackling challenging lengthier works by Palestrina and Bach. Their special guest on this occasion was the American-born violinist Miriam Kramer whose sparkling vivacious playing was a particular highlight.
After a rather hesitant rendition of Stanford’s Coelos Ascendit, the choir found its feet with Palestrina’s Stabat Mater, an untypically strophic and largely homophonic work in which Moon brought out the pathos inherent in the text and expertly balanced his forces. There was some highly effective piano singing.
Bach’s Motet Fürchte dich nicht presented a considerable technical challenge to the choir and was perhaps a little ambitious. The church’s acoustic did not help them in the least, although they discovered an engaging “inner pulse”. Kramer’s rendition of Bach’s unaccompanied Chaconne in D Minor was highly accomplished and confidently delivered, and seemed to inspire the choir in William Harris’ masterpiece Faire is the heaven.
They seemed more at home here, making light of the tricky tempo and key changes, and responding to Moon’s subtle direction.
Moon showed us what an excellent accompanist he is as he joined forces with Kramer for her second half contributions, a Sonata by Handel, a Song Without Words (originally for ‘cello) by Mendelssohn and a splendidly frenzied Tarantelle by Ferdinand David.
The choir explored their dynamic range in Stanford’s other Motets Justorum Animae and Beati Quorum.
The latter was perhaps a touch fast, but there was some excellent rubato and flawless ensemble and balance. The second half also included John Tavener’s famous The Lamb, beautifully sung, and Tchaikowsky’s Crown of Roses featuring some wonderfully deep second basses!
A particular strength of the choir, and their director, is in English Part Song, and they treated us to renditions of Elgar’s There is sweet music, The springtime of the year by Vaughan Williams and My spirit sang all day by Finzi. In all, their delivery of the text and enjoyment of the music shone through.
The programme was completed by Moon’s arrangement of Sweet Low Sweet Chariot, sung without music and embellished by a soaring violin obligato.
The Choir’s forthcoming performance of Mozart’s Requiem at Thame Parish Church on December 3rd is eagerly anticipated.