{"id":2408,"date":"2021-11-26T16:58:03","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T16:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/?page_id=2408"},"modified":"2024-02-23T14:47:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T14:47:32","slug":"progrev117","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/?page_id=2408","title":{"rendered":"2021-2022 (118th season)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-gjcnjk-b6e7a374c982583165991a11c021c156\">\n.flex_column.av-gjcnjk-b6e7a374c982583165991a11c021c156{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-gjcnjk-b6e7a374c982583165991a11c021c156 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-k2tmm2tz-4ef35de9d4f686d67901f301c1e2a1e7 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>118th Season: Programmes and Reviews (2021-2022)<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-4nan4o-032cb0bb132d0b95cf17f73f8571cfbc av_one_third  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_two_third  first flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-l1xn9n3c-f533baf3197107b31557ddcd97af57e9\">\n.avia-image-container.av-l1xn9n3c-f533baf3197107b31557ddcd97af57e9 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-l1xn9n3c-f533baf3197107b31557ddcd97af57e9 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-l1xn9n3c-f533baf3197107b31557ddcd97af57e9 av-styling- av-img-linked avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-3  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/verdi_requiem.pdf\" class='avia_image '  ><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image- avia-img-lazy-loading-not- avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/verdi_requiem-1.pdf\" alt='' title=''   itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<div  class='flex_column av-2n5rh4-81ec37b1e4e7e9e8c679bd65bab1ec57 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_one_third  el_before_av_one_third  flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-l1w94yp8-f4c28e217768aaa51cb52fb7e7307f97 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Critique of Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society\u2019s performance of the Verdi Requiem, April 10th 2022<\/h3>\n<p>This afternoon, the RTWCS surpassed itself in treating the audience to a wonderful and moving rendition of Verdi\u2019s sumptuous Requiem, his only sacred work.<br \/>\nTotal control was established at the start from both orchestra and choir, with the pianissimo \u201cRequiem and Kyrie\u201d movement, followed by excellent choral intonation in the a capella section. Both choir and soloists then produced a marvellous ensemble, voices complementing each other throughout.<br \/>\nThe terrifying \u201cDies Irae\u201d was performed with commitment and vitality, clearly evoking the devastating Last Judgment; the forte dynamic was achieved effectively, but never too much. This journey of the dark night of the soul was expressed with great effect and power.<br \/>\n\u201cSalva Me\u201d was utterly intoxicating, with chorus plus soloists capturing the heart of Verdi\u2019s Romanticism with its luscious, rich harmonies and use of rubato and gradation of tone.<br \/>\nAll performers involved had total admiration for this operatic, powerful and emotional work, hence each movement was performed with great sensitivity and emotional involvement. The final \u201cDies Irae\/Libera Me\u201d was as effective as that at the beginning, the soprano soloist adding to the pathos, with beautiful chromaticism and fugal entries carefully sung by the choir.<br \/>\nThe society was fortunate to be joined by four outstanding soloists who all sang with compassion; their ensembles were superbly executed, tightly held together and well-balanced. Helen Bailey\u2019s clear soprano flowed effortlessly over the orchestra and choir, mezzo-soprano Felicity Buckland produced a rich, warm sound, Jonathan Cooke used his fine tenor voice to excellent effect and Louis Hurst was a vibrant and empathetic bass.<br \/>\nConductor Robyn Sevastos led choir, soloists and orchestra with her usual modest authority, ever in command but allowing enjoyment of the music to prevail. She extracted every melodic and harmonic nuance out of the requiem, with all voice parts evenly balanced. It is obvious that she is a popular and successful musical director, and it is a credit to her that the choir has worked very hard to produce a concert of this high quality.<br \/>\nA special mention must go to the RTWCS orchestra and its leader Andrew Laing, who accompanied the society so well this afternoon, and to rehearsal pianist Craig Hudson.<br \/>\nFinally, how delightful it was to see younger members of both choir and audience. Long may this continue!<br \/>\nCongratulations to all concerned on an outstanding concert, or in the words quoted by the tenor soloist in the programme, there was certainly \u201cplenty of drama, passion and transcendence!\u201d<br \/>\nMichele Roszak 10th April 2022<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-eou3u8-1ef14ab78c7d413be63d98da2c25a67c\">\n.flex_column.av-eou3u8-1ef14ab78c7d413be63d98da2c25a67c{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-eou3u8-1ef14ab78c7d413be63d98da2c25a67c av_one_third  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_two_third  el_before_av_two_third  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-c94yfk-ce9b546a25fd499bd3a5f29950276158\">\n.avia-image-container.av-c94yfk-ce9b546a25fd499bd3a5f29950276158 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-c94yfk-ce9b546a25fd499bd3a5f29950276158 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-c94yfk-ce9b546a25fd499bd3a5f29950276158 av-styling- av-img-linked avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-7  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Schubert-PROGRAMME-final.pdf\" class='avia_image '  aria-label='simply_schubert'><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-2443 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-2443 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert-211x300.jpg\" alt='' title='simply_schubert'  height=\"300\" width=\"211\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert-211x300.jpg 211w, https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert-726x1030.jpg 726w, https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert-768x1089.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert-1083x1536.jpg 1083w, https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert-1057x1500.jpg 1057w, https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert-497x705.jpg 497w, https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/simply_schubert.jpg 1166w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 211px) 100vw, 211px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-al5yo0-06d225d54fc82b88b7e34b33b1da9b1e\">\n.flex_column.av-al5yo0-06d225d54fc82b88b7e34b33b1da9b1e{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-al5yo0-06d225d54fc82b88b7e34b33b1da9b1e av_two_third  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  column-top-margin'     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-k2uhh4e3-2875323360706ab2c606c8b7485b1bcb '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><div class=\"page\" title=\"Page 1\">\n<div class=\"section\">\n<div class=\"layoutArea\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<h4>Critique of Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society \u201cSimply Schubert\u201d concert Sunday 14th Nov<\/h4>\n<p>It was a joy to see the return of the RTWCS after nearly two years, this time performing a programme entitled \u201cSimply Schubert\u201d. The audience was treated to a delightful assortment of choral works and songs, or Lieder, by Franz Schubert.<\/p>\n<p>Conductor Robyn Sevastos introduced the choir, orchestra and soloists, before the Mass in G, no. 2 commenced with the Kyrie and its gently undulating stylistic vocal lines, employing successful gradation of tone. The Gloria section was firmly attacked and handled with appropriate rhythmic energy; the Credo executed with great care and attention to detail, while the short fugal section in the Sanctus was performed skilfully and effectively. The Benedictus was a trio for today\u2019s fine soloists, whose voices blended excellently, before the choir\u2019s sudden entry on \u201cOsanna\u201d lead into the moving Agnus Dei, with its pleading message between soloists and chorus alike.<\/p>\n<p>We were next treated to some of Schubert\u2019s best-known Lieder: Auf dem Wasser zu Singen, with its constant quaver movement for both voice and piano accompaniment, and Auf der Donau, both superbly executed by mezzo-soprano Sophie Kidwell. She presented us with a warm and clear tone, and subtle detail to emotion.<\/p>\n<p>Ruairi Bowen (tenor) sang Ganymed and Du bist die Ruh, both of which he performed with an excellent sensitive awareness to the text plus good use of dynamic shaping and a bright, forward vocal tone.<\/p>\n<p>The setting of the next choral piece, \u201cTantum Ergo\u201d, caught the ideal atmosphere of a Medieval hymn, with dialogue between soloists performing in harmony and the full chorus, akin to tutti and ripieno sections.<\/p>\n<p>Baritone Robbie Haylett gave us renditions of Nachtviolen and Sta\u0308ndchen, tenderly and sympathetically presented, and with excellent diction.<\/p>\n<p>The fourth soloist, Kristy Swift, sang the trio Der Hirt auf dem Felsen with a charming clarinet obbligato played by Michelle Andrews; her obvious love of this song and its hope for the coming Spring shone through in her bright, effortless soprano voice.<\/p>\n<p>Craig Hudson accompanied the Lieder with consideration and sensibility, never allowing us to forget that he was in total equal partnership with each singer.<\/p>\n<p>The concert\u2019s grand finale, the Magnificat, was executed to great effect by choir and soloists alike. All three sections were cleanly defined; the second one of soloists, woodwind and strings was particularly moving; in the final Gloria, all performers made use of every musical idiom available in order to bring a most enjoyable afternoon to a conclusion.<\/p>\n<p>Robyn Sevastos was totally in control of both choir and orchestra throughout; choral entries were prompt, tuning and balance of voices excellent, and Schubertian emotions were well expressed and never undermined. The choral singing revealed clear part singing and a lucid, forward tone. Andy Laing led the orchestra with precision and sensitivity to both choir and soloists.<\/p>\n<p>It was good to see everyone performing off the stage; a very effective tool in bringing all the sections together. This helped to encourage the balance of sound which was so successful this afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Congratulations to all involved! Michele Roszak<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2408","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2408"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3064,"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2408\/revisions\/3064"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}