The monumental walls of St. Andrew's Church resounded with angelic voices as a packed audience bore witness to an evening of Sacred Music. Presented by city-based choral and instrumental music ensemble, Madrigals, Etc., along with special guest singers from Sweden, the concert was a glorious tribute to classical sacred music by legendary composers across eras.
With Neecia Majolly (singer/director), Jonas Olsson (tenor), Nevin Thomas (bass), Charan Raj M.R. (tenor), Usha Aron (mezzo-soprano), Berenice da Gama Rose (soprano), Maria Forsström (mezzo-soprano/alto), Lena Moen (soprano), Torbjörn Tällberg-Marthins (bass) and Jan H.Börgesson (organ), the group chorused in mellifluous praise.
The mélange of voices presented a range of devotional music in the Scottish accented English Church, famous for its 120-year-old magnificent pipe organ, which resounded glorious music at Jan's fingertips. Describing the experience as a huge success, Neecia proudly said, “This is the first venture of the Majolly Trust, with this being our starting concert for the year. We are looking forward to bring out more collaborative efforts this year and encourage more appreciation for this wonderful art.”
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Commencing the evening with J. S. Bach's popular “Jesus, Bleibet Meine Freude”, the choir sang out the enduring piece with reverent gracefulness setting pace for a powerful bass solo aria from Handel's famous “Messiah”.
Vocal extravagance
In resonating glory, Monteverdi's “Adoramus Te Christe” and “Cantate Domino” followed with joyous hymnal motet. The bold voiced Maria delivered Handel's “Ombra Mai Fu” in solo alto with euphonious grandeur. Every note of the opera aria poured out with emotive tonality. She enraptured the listeners with her vocal extravagance. Lena pursued in effortless perfection with her soprano solo of the same composer's “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion”. Modulating with phenomenal vocal control, she joyously sang out the cheerful piece with infectious elation.
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Jan displayed his phenomenal mastery over the organ as he played Bach's organ solo chorale – “Nu Komm Der Heiden Heiland”. Elegantly keying the notes he recreated the well-known Lutheran prelude with ambient harmony. With anthemic devotion, the singers echoed Purcell's “Hear my Prayer, O Lord” in appealing melody. Thomas Weelkes' “Hosanna to the Son of David” came next where they lifted the song to the heavens in splendid aural prominence.
The finale, which seemed to come too soon, was Vivaldi's 11 sections “Gloria” that the voices blended in brilliant precision and diversity. Impeccably rendering the symphony sections in orchestral musicality, the singers finished with a flourish to the plaudit praise of the audience who carried back home lasting impressions of an evening of music divine.