Paddock Wood Choral Society : Music from Stage and Screen
I have attended many concerts on a similar theme, and one is usually treated to a pretty standard programme of musicals with the odd film thrown in – not so on this occasion. Kevin Ashman, the choir’s Music Director put together a hugely varied and enjoyable programme, augmented by the superb Kent Police Band.
First was the Parade of the Charioteers, from the 1959 film, Ben Hur, brilliantly played by the Kent Police Band. The sound was deep and rich and filled the church. Soon it was the turn of the choir to sing their first rousing piece – “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. They sang with strong attack, particularly the sopranos and although they could have done with greater numbers in the tenor and bass sections, the overall sound was clear and confident, backed up by the very skilled playing of pianist Emma Davis.
The choir performed two pieces from Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas, the choir’s own soloist Carol Markwick, singing a passionate rendition of Dido’s Lament as you will hear, with the choir following “With drooping wings” making a subtle and well balanced sound.
A hearty rendition of “All you need is love” was swiftly followed by a hugely entertaining medley of ABBA tunes taken from the film Mamma Mia, with some very difficult runs and syncopated rhythms expertly played by the band.
Then something that we all looked forward to – the unique vocal talents of Angus Morton. I’ve heard audiences being blown away by Angus before and this was no exception. His rendition of “Love changes everything” from Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love thrilled the audience and would have been at home on a West End stage. He was rightly made to return for a second bow.
After that came a Disney medley from shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Arabian Nights and Under the Sea. Medleys can be tricky with changes of mood, tempo and key signature, but the choir coped admirably.
I’m not sure if it is possible to play a wind instrument with a smile on your face but I’m sure many of the Kent Police Band were smiling inwardly as they gave us an upbeat performance of the theme form the 1970’s police drama, The Sweeney. This was followed by a sultry version of the aria Summertime, from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, with the sections of the choir taking the vocal line, led very well by the Sopranos.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”, the setting of Psalm 23 by Howard Goodall is one of the most recognisable television theme tunes. Although written especially for the television comedy The Vicar of Dibley, Goodall always intended it to be a piece of church music that could have a life of its own beyond the series. Here it was sung well with good contrast between the opening legato lines and the firmer middle section, with the beautiful voice of Soprano Lindsey Challen providing the solo.
The final pieces sung by the choir were taken from the setting of the Requiem, by Mozart. The Confutatis is an exciting and beautiful movement contrasting the rousing “confutatis” and the lyrical “voca me” made particularly difficult by the bass section only having an introduction of one beat. They rose to the challenge and provided a firm footing for the rest of the choir. The “Lacrimosa” was similarly well sung with good attention to the dynamics and phrasing.
Finally, we all felt very involved after joining the choir and band to sing the rousing hymn Jerusalem and I’ve no idea what it sounded like as I was too busy enjoying myself singing!
This was a well thought through and varied programme, well led by Kevin Ashman with support from the dynamic Kent Police Band, the superb pianist Emma Davis and considerable talents of the choir and soloists.
Dean Waller
25.6.19
I have attended many concerts on a similar theme, and one is usually treated to a pretty standard programme of musicals with the odd film thrown in – not so on this occasion. Kevin Ashman, the choir’s Music Director put together a hugely varied and enjoyable programme, augmented by the superb Kent Police Band.
First was the Parade of the Charioteers, from the 1959 film, Ben Hur, brilliantly played by the Kent Police Band. The sound was deep and rich and filled the church. Soon it was the turn of the choir to sing their first rousing piece – “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. They sang with strong attack, particularly the sopranos and although they could have done with greater numbers in the tenor and bass sections, the overall sound was clear and confident, backed up by the very skilled playing of pianist Emma Davis.
The choir performed two pieces from Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas, the choir’s own soloist Carol Markwick, singing a passionate rendition of Dido’s Lament as you will hear, with the choir following “With drooping wings” making a subtle and well balanced sound.
A hearty rendition of “All you need is love” was swiftly followed by a hugely entertaining medley of ABBA tunes taken from the film Mamma Mia, with some very difficult runs and syncopated rhythms expertly played by the band.
Then something that we all looked forward to – the unique vocal talents of Angus Morton. I’ve heard audiences being blown away by Angus before and this was no exception. His rendition of “Love changes everything” from Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love thrilled the audience and would have been at home on a West End stage. He was rightly made to return for a second bow.
After that came a Disney medley from shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Arabian Nights and Under the Sea. Medleys can be tricky with changes of mood, tempo and key signature, but the choir coped admirably.
I’m not sure if it is possible to play a wind instrument with a smile on your face but I’m sure many of the Kent Police Band were smiling inwardly as they gave us an upbeat performance of the theme form the 1970’s police drama, The Sweeney. This was followed by a sultry version of the aria Summertime, from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, with the sections of the choir taking the vocal line, led very well by the Sopranos.
“The Lord is my Shepherd”, the setting of Psalm 23 by Howard Goodall is one of the most recognisable television theme tunes. Although written especially for the television comedy The Vicar of Dibley, Goodall always intended it to be a piece of church music that could have a life of its own beyond the series. Here it was sung well with good contrast between the opening legato lines and the firmer middle section, with the beautiful voice of Soprano Lindsey Challen providing the solo.
The final pieces sung by the choir were taken from the setting of the Requiem, by Mozart. The Confutatis is an exciting and beautiful movement contrasting the rousing “confutatis” and the lyrical “voca me” made particularly difficult by the bass section only having an introduction of one beat. They rose to the challenge and provided a firm footing for the rest of the choir. The “Lacrimosa” was similarly well sung with good attention to the dynamics and phrasing.
Finally, we all felt very involved after joining the choir and band to sing the rousing hymn Jerusalem and I’ve no idea what it sounded like as I was too busy enjoying myself singing!
This was a well thought through and varied programme, well led by Kevin Ashman with support from the dynamic Kent Police Band, the superb pianist Emma Davis and considerable talents of the choir and soloists.
Dean Waller
25.6.19