{"id":829,"date":"2017-11-06T15:20:05","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T15:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/?page_id=829"},"modified":"2024-02-23T15:15:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T15:15:32","slug":"progrev115","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/?page_id=829","title":{"rendered":"2018-2019 (115th season)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-9if11-a1b90753b8ee33836511df57bef140aa\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-9if11-a1b90753b8ee33836511df57bef140aa{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-9if11-a1b90753b8ee33836511df57bef140aa .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-9if11-a1b90753b8ee33836511df57bef140aa .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-9if11-a1b90753b8ee33836511df57bef140aa av-special-heading-h3  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_one_third  avia-builder-el-first '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >115th Season: Programmes and Reviews (2018-2019) <\/h3><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-kh5od-b7acde99c31744843b0bd410432c3d8d\">\n.flex_column.av-kh5od-b7acde99c31744843b0bd410432c3d8d{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-kh5od-b7acde99c31744843b0bd410432c3d8d av_one_third  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_two_third  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-juh15jo6-4a7c6f36dc3740c04f8ac16350579c82\">\n.avia-image-container.av-juh15jo6-4a7c6f36dc3740c04f8ac16350579c82 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-juh15jo6-4a7c6f36dc3740c04f8ac16350579c82 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-juh15jo6-4a7c6f36dc3740c04f8ac16350579c82 av-styling- av-img-linked avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-2  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\/2019\/04\/Final-programme-Apr-2019-web-res.pdf\" class='avia_image '  target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label='Verdi+Puccini-programme-April2019'><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1700 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1700 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/VerdiPuccini-programme-April2019.gif\" alt='' title='Verdi+Puccini-programme-April2019'  height=\"200\" width=\"200\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-hl2rh-3e4a2fe52578176953362665eab309e5\">\n.flex_column.av-hl2rh-3e4a2fe52578176953362665eab309e5{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-hl2rh-3e4a2fe52578176953362665eab309e5 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_one_third  el_before_av_one_third  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-juh1c3jf-8cd94542786646b30f2d4dc6b42ade45 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Spring Concert 14th April in the Assembly Hall<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Verdi<\/strong>: Overture to <em>La forza del destino \u2013 The force of destiny<\/em><br \/>\n<strong>Verdi<\/strong>: <em>Quattro pezzi sacri \u2013 Four sacred pieces<\/em><br \/>\n<strong>Puccini<\/strong>: <em>Messa di gloria.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4>Critique of the RTWCS Spring Concert of beautiful Italian choral music, 14th April 2019<\/h4>\n<p>A good-sized audience was present for the Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society\u2019s 115th year Spring Concert, a diverse collection of music by two celebrated Italian Romantic composers, conducted by Robyn Sevastos.<\/p>\n<p>The afternoon commenced with Giuseppe Verdi\u2019s overture to his opera \u201cLa Forza del Destino\u201d, clearly and beautifully executed by the London based Salomon Orchestra, making a welcome return to Tunbridge Wells. Verdi\u2019s rich Romantic harmonies flowed in this orchestral medley of operatic arias, rising and falling (with occasional solo flute) and almost teasing the listener\u2019s ear before coming to a final rest.<\/p>\n<p>This was followed by \u201cQuattro Pezzi Sacri\u201d (Four Sacred Pieces), composed near the end of Verdi\u2019s life. The choir started the first \u201cAve Maria\u201d movement with gentle unaccompanied homophonic singing; vocal parts were well balanced throughout, and the singers did their best to cope with the somewhat unusual harmonies. A strong violin entry led the chorus into the more dramatic \u201cStabat Mater\u201d where contrasts of dynamics were evident; the a capella section \u201cQuis est homo\u201d was handled with clarity although intonation needed attention here. The female chorus \u201cLaudi alla Vergine Maria\u201d \u2013 prudently accompanied by piano instead of being sung unaccompanied \u2013 brought a sense of Renaissance feel with its un-earthly style, before the final contrasting operatic\/plainsong section of the \u201cTe Deum\u201d. Here, the performance was moving, although there were times when more emotional singing would have added to the effect \u2013 everything was almost too controlled and needed to throw caution to the wind!<\/p>\n<p>This particular work came across as rather too ambitious for the choral society and, despite best intentions, never really fulfilled its potential.<\/p>\n<p>The choir was most fortunate to have two outstanding soloists performing this afternoon: John Findon (tenor) and Hakan Vramsmo (baritone), who treated everybody to a wonderful and excellently balanced duet from \u201cLa Forza del Destino\u201d before the interval.<\/p>\n<p>In the second half of the concert, the audience was presented with Giacomo Puccini\u2019s \u201cMessa di Gloria\u201d, composed when the composer was 18. This suited the choral society well and was performed eloquently and sensitively. Some beautifully shaped phrasing was evident throughout with variation of contrasting dynamics. The fugal ending of the \u201cGloria\u201d was movingly executed, and it was good to hear effective use of dotted rhythms in the \u201cCredo\u201d sections as well as some lovely inner harmonies from the altos and tenors in \u201cSanctus\u201d. John Findon\u2019s tenor rang out clearly and resonantly in \u201cGratias Agimus Tibi\u201d and he employed a full range of dynamics to complement his operatic voice, while Hakan Vramsmo used his warm liquid baritone to full effect in \u201cCrucifixus\u201d, daring to use as quiet a dynamic as possible at the end, with full control. The concert was brought to a gentle and successful close with tenor\/bass duet interspersed with chorus.<\/p>\n<p>Robyn Sevastos has proved herself to be a popular and highly respected conductor and it is easy to see why. She conducted with great authority and control over all sections of both choir and orchestra. Special mention must also go to the leader of the orchestra Nick Hardistry and choir rehearsal accompanist Craig Hudson.<\/p>\n<p>Michele Roszak<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-fom99-a9a05607ec27933f7562a3520babbca4\">\n.flex_column.av-fom99-a9a05607ec27933f7562a3520babbca4{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-fom99-a9a05607ec27933f7562a3520babbca4 av_one_third  avia-builder-el-5  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-juh1hehz-0af9905f1be855009e3231d7761d9d77\">\n.avia-image-container.av-juh1hehz-0af9905f1be855009e3231d7761d9d77 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-juh1hehz-0af9905f1be855009e3231d7761d9d77 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-juh1hehz-0af9905f1be855009e3231d7761d9d77 av-styling- av-img-linked avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-6  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\/2018\/12\/final-Nov2018prog_low-res.pdf\" class='avia_image '  target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label='In-Memoriam-200x200-image'><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1559 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1559 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/In-Memoriam-200x200-image.gif\" alt='' title='In-Memoriam-200x200-image'  height=\"200\" width=\"200\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ayjkl-4deec8d29aaadd51365981051729d723\">\n.flex_column.av-ayjkl-4deec8d29aaadd51365981051729d723{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-ayjkl-4deec8d29aaadd51365981051729d723 av_two_third  avia-builder-el-7  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-juh1ig6o-ad98f097bb384ee0851958886181abdf '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Autumn Concert (Remembrance Sunday) 11th November 2018 in the Assembly Hall<\/h3>\n<p>Delius: The walk to the Paradise Garden<br \/>\nElgar: The spirit of England<br \/>\nVaughan Williams: Dona nobis pacem<\/p>\n<h4>Critique of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society\u2019s \u201cIn Memoriam concert, Sunday 11th November 2018<\/h4>\n<p>The Royal Tunbridge Wells Society\u2019s choice of three English country pieces was entirely appropriate for the Armistice Centenary and a fitting memorial to the society\u2019s late president, Guy Huntrods (a veteran of the Second World War).<\/p>\n<p>Robyn Sevastos, making a very welcome debut with RTWCS, sensitively conducted the orchestra in Fredrik Delius \u201cThe Walk to the Paradise Garden\u201d from the opera \u201cA Village Romeo and Juliet\u201d. This gentle piece was played with clarity; the heartrending and expressive Romantic harmonies most descriptive of the doomed young lovers. \u201cThe Spirit of England\u201d by Edward Elgar was written to the war poet Laurence Binyon\u2019s poetry and exposes the suffering caused by the First World War. The chorus started with a confident sound, ably assisted by soloist Eleanor Sanderson-Nash whose clear soprano voice floated effortlessly over choir and orchestra, with precise articulation. The cantata was performed in true Elgar style, with dramatic graduations of tone, although there were occasions when the orchestra overpowered the choir and some diction was lost. The second movement\u2019s subtle use of minor keys and slower tempi was beautifully portrayed by both choir and soprano, expressing the despair and helplessness of the women left behind. There was much warmth in the choral tone and an emotive entry by the soprano soloist in \u201cFor the Fallen\u201d, followed by a well-executed rhythmic march section leading to a wonderful diminuendo \u201cWe will remember them\u201d. The finale revealed some fine choral singing.<\/p>\n<p>After the interval, the audience was presented with the cantata \u201cDona Nobis Pacem\u201d so evocative of Ralph Vaughan Williams\u2019 modal style. A gentle start with a wonderfully clear soprano solo entry was followed by a powerfully rhythmic section of choir and orchestra together in which the racing triplets were handled with apparent ease. \u201cIn Reconciliation\u201d introduced the warm, expressive baritone voice of Adam Maxey, accompanied with sensitivity by the choir. \u201cThe Dirge for Two Veterans\u201d fully stretched the use of vocal and orchestral dynamics, and the choir dealt with modulations with ease and accuracy. There were some beautiful nuances of tone, combined with a sense of desperation in the tutti movements, clearly painting the vivid battle scenes. A calm and controlled softly sung finale expressed hope and optimism for the future.<\/p>\n<p>Conductor Robyn Sevastos took full control of both choir and orchestra, drawing out the musical emotions but never allowing them to become self-indulgent. Excellent tuning was evident throughout. This was another very moving concert in keeping with the choral society\u2019s usual high standard of performance. Congratulations must also go to rehearsal accompanist Craig Hudson and the RTWCS orchestra leader Bernard Brooks. A most enjoyable concert.<br \/>\n<em>Michele Roszak<br \/>\n11th November 2018<\/em><\/p>\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-829","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/829","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=829"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3079,"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/829\/revisions\/3079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tempdomain4.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}