1:50pm Saturday 24th July 2010
Basingstoke Choral Society
Daphnis and Chloe
The Anvil
I WAS privileged to attend The Anvil when the Basingstoke Choral Society, together with the Southampton Philharmonic Choir and accompanied by the New London Sinfonia, staged their final concert of the season.
Of the three items included in the programme, I was familiar with only one, Ravel’s Boléro. The other two were a first for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Villa-Lobos’ work Chôros 10, though there were
some occasions when the orchestra overpowered the choir.
I do not know what the solution is in this respect, as The Anvil does not lend itself to any other possible juxtaposition of choir and orchestra. The work was quite atmospheric and admirably
demonstrated the innate sense of rhythm peculiar to Brazilian culture. It also brought to mind a musical which I helped to produce when teaching, called Yanamamo. The story of a forest community
whose way of life was being threatened by over-exploitation of the forests. Chôros 10, for me at any rate, evoked the sounds of the forests.
Ravel’s Boléro never fails to please the listener and the New London Sinfonia, under David Gibson’s baton, produced a superb rendition of this work. This orchestra goes from strength to strength.
From the opening drum beat right through to the crescendo finish, I was spellbound, under the insistent, hypnotic beat of the percussion section. As the work progressed, moving from instrument to
instrument, the melody took on a haunting quality. Gradually, the intensity increased, along with a noticeable increase in volume resulting in the crashing finale. A wonderful descriptive piece,
which touches the soul.
This is the first time I have heard of Daphnis and Chloé, and the first time I’ve experienced a ballet in concert form, without any dancers. The music is beautiful and passionate with wonderful
harmonies. However, as there were no dancers, I did find it difficult to follow the sections in the various scenes, even with the programme on my knee!
A lengthy work, but at no time did it lose its appeal, such was the variation in tone and dynamics. It has whetted my appetite to see and hear the full ballet. David Gibson did a wonderful job in
regaling us with this masterpiece by Ravel. I eagerly look forward to the next concert in the repertoire of BCS. David Gibson has the art of blending voices to produce a true choral sound.
–Alan Gibson
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