Pleasing variety

THE CONCERT of secular and sacred music at the Museum Theatre on July 21, was a pleasing variety of both vocal and instrumental.

The choir of St. George's Cathedral, conducted by Raj Samuel, accompanied by Lynda Samuel on the piano, provided the vocal part; and guest artists Anne Durabar - oboe, and Jenni Meade - double bass, with Lynda Samuel on the piano, the instrumental.

Raj Samuel is founder and visiting conductor of the choir, which during his absense, is trained by Benny Samuel, and it a tribute to both conductors, that they were able to draw such a beautiful tone from the choir, especially in their pianissimo singing.

Perhaps a tighter placement of the members, instead of a splayed semicircle, would have given more depth to the volume produced, as we rarely got a forte let alone a fortissimo!

Opening with the Soldier's Chorus from Faust (Gounod) which had a vibrant militant air, they went on to the Sanctus and Agnus Dei from Cherubini's Mass, the Latin rendering of which was a fine effort indeed.

The ``fusion'' composition of ``God Loves Us'' by Randall Giles, specially written for the choir, and accompanied by tambura, tabla, harmonium and oboe, did not quite take off.

The melding of accompaniment and voice was missing, and both sides - as opposed to the ensemble as a whole - appeared to be out of sync.

We then had the trio - oboe, double bass and piano, playing CPE Bach's ``Sonata in G Minor''. Dunbar's oboe was clear, lilting and dominant in her lead role in the sonata.

The sustained and rounded notes of the Adagio, well supported by piano and bass the sweetly repetitive phrases of the Allegro, the lively Vivace, all combined to make a delightful whole, which the audience did appreciate.

Durnbar then went on to 3 Romances by Schumann, with Lynda Samuel accompanying. The rapport between them was good, and the interpretation was romantic, with a slight degree of patches, and a freshness that was charming.

She ended the concert with a Sonata by Saint- Saens, which rounded off the evening very successfully.

Ms. Sameul was as always a sensitive and able accompanist, and maintained this right through the rather long concert.

This were perhaps the first time Chennai has heard the Double Bass in solo performance. Jenni Meade, the artiste, had the disadvantage of an unfamiliar instrument, not of concert standard, and as a result her performance suffered.

Three-part songs, which were the choir's final offering were delightfully rendered, especially in respect of diction, phrasing and control.

They came over light and joyful, with excellent tonal quality, and ended the evening pleasurably for all of us.

RITA SALDANHA

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