52
Aluredian
enormously impressive performance of Karl
Jenkins' Palladio, full of precision and rhythmic
bite, paving the way for the chapel choir to give
us four contrasting pieces - Burt Bacharach's
Close to You, Steal Away arranged by Stephen
Tanner, Richard Lloyd's View me Lord, and
Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré. They
proved themselves equally adept in all four very
different styles, perhaps the Fauré the most
satisfying, but then it is one of the gems of the
sacred choral repertoire.
The wInd band gave us Who's that Masked
Man, an arrangement of superhero themes by
Jay Bocook, music from James Bond movies
arranged by Paul Lavender, and the same
composer's arrangement of John Williams film
music. They make a big sound these players -
punchy saxophones, delicate flutes and clarinets,
and an amazingly tight rhythm section.
To close we had the full orchestra with Holst's
Suite in E flat - this too was a weighty sound,
full of depth and warmth, perfectly capturing
the many changing moods and atmospheres.
And to round off the first part of the evening,
Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1,
complete with audience participation and
obligatory encore. Players and audience then
decamped to the marquee, as the evening
closed in now traditional style with the jazz
band and dancing.
T
his year's end of Arts Week
concert was an Only Night of
the Proms, featuring music
often heard at the end of
other grand music and arts
festivals, and it created a
suitably celebratory atmosphere, with even a
touch of nostalgic valediction. The string
orchestra started proceedings with the Prelude
from Grieg's Holberg Suite, followed by
Handel's famous Sarabande, plus two
variations. After which it was time for a little
Henry Wood patriotism in the form of I Vow to
Thee My Country from Holst's The Planets.
A change of sound colour then ensued as the
strings made way for the brass group, who
gave two hugely entertaining performances,
firstly an arrangement of George Gershwin's
I Got Rhythm, and then Looney Tunes, a
medley of cartoon favourites. There was plenty
of snap and humour here - these players did
indeed have rhythm aplenty!
We at King's have been spoilt these last five
years by having the opportunity to hear Peter
Oakley's wonderful singing on many an occasion.
His finale here was the ever-popular Ombra mai
fu by Handel, his voice yet again showing that
security and poise that never fail to move.
Our very best saxophone players have formed
themselves into an ensemble, and they gave an
Only Night
of the
Proms
by
Gerri Fagan