Classic Melbourne
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Calendar
    • Terms and conditions
    • Apply to post your events
    • Post Your Event
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
  • Contact
Classic Melbourne
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Calendar
    • Terms and conditions
    • Apply to post your events
    • Post Your Event
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
  • Contact

Gloriana: Faure Requiem

by Suzanne Yanko 27th September, 2017
by Suzanne Yanko 27th September, 2017

 

Far be it from me to recommend that a reviewer be late for a concert, or even worse, a no-show! Both situations were unavoidable last Saturday night when the scheduled reviewer found himself stranded by his car on the Eastern Freeway, and his guest (me) took over at the last minute. It was an unmistakeable irony that the offending vehicle was a Citroen and the concert entirely composed of French music!

All that aside, there was an unanticipated advantage in arriving as the choir was in full flight. This was Gloriana, Andrew Raiskums’ choir, several minutes into the Gloria of Poulenc’s Mass in G, which was (as the program notes said) “dramatic and animated”. As I entered the quite cavernous church that is Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Carlton, I was struck by the powerful sound made by far fewer voices than I expected. Still, 30 or so singers can make quite an impact, especially when they are so balanced and the conductor knows them well. I was to learn that Gloriana’s great strength is in having a choir composed of strong voices belonging to individuals who could be soloists but are content to contribute to the overall sound of the ensemble.

The aforesaid program notes alerted us to listen for particular points of interest in the Mass: its vitality, the “ringing” of the Sanctus bells, the appeal of Poulenc’s austerity of style. Given that the concert was named for the Requiem, and was undoubtedly the drawcard for most of the audience with its almost florid orchestration and instant appeal, the Poulenc seemed a brave piece of programming to match with it. So did the first of the Cantiques, Daniel-Lesur’s 1952 work, Le Cantique des Cantiques. I found the translated words a distraction, because some of them form the text for the Deller Consort’s landmark performance of Purcell’s My Beloved Spake, based on the Song of Solomon. The quite austere tonality of what we heard was undeniable, although the Cantique had its own richness in the involvement of all singers and the challenges they were given. One notable soundscape featured the sopranos in Movement V, followed by an ecstatic-sounding dance. This was a worthy inclusion in the program, with its contrasts superbly delivered, but I, in common with most of the audience, was impatient for the second half of the concert.

It has become common for recordings of Fauré’s Requiem to be accompanied by his much earlier work, the Cantique de Jean Racine. Although it was composed when Fauré was only 19, this relatively short work is a fair indication of what the mature composer would be capable of writing. A small orchestra (strings, horns, harp) filed onto the stage, but it was the organ which immediately captured attention with its gentle articulation, hymn-like, of the melody. This work is beautiful beyond words (and as recently as last night I introduced it to a new listener, who I think would agree!) Of course Raiskums and Gloriana performed it faithfully; the men’s voices quiet to begin but soon swelled with the other parts, and all making the most of the contrasts and crescendos.

After this, the wait for the Requiem was almost unbearable although it was only minutes! The orchestra sounded about three times its actual size, yet did not overpower the singers. In fact the strong quality of the Gloriana voices, already remarked on, did much to counterbalance the sweetness of the melodies, and the lushness of the orchestration. Several parts of the work are built on arpeggio-based chords which give it a flow, but Raiskums also had an ear for the drama, for example in the Kyrie.

The Sanctus is worthy of mention, from the angelic harp to begin, to the balancing of different rhythms in the orchestra and choir, and the violin solo to end. The choir’s performance of “Hosanna in excelsis” was simply enthralling.

The Pie Jesu is often sung by a boy but soloist Erika Tandiono demonstrated a female voice can be as affecting, if held in check with absolute faithfulness to the simple melody and with bell-like clarity. Nicholas Dinopoulos again showed his capacity to understand a part almost instinctively, lending a warm strong baritone to the Offertory and later to a vigorous “Libera me”. But the point has already been made that this work is an ensemble piece first and foremost and so it’s true the audience were with Raiskums and Gloriana all the way. There was nothing to forgive and everything to appreciate from every single performer.

The final section, In Paradisum, “May Angels lead thee to paradise”, struck a chord with the audience. This had been divine music by anyone’s standards. All praise to Gloriana!

 

Suzanne Yanko heard Gloriana perform the Faure Requiem, directed by Andrew Raiskums, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church Carlton on Sunday September 24, 2017.

0
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
Suzanne Yanko

previous post
Great Moments Of Song   
next post
Music in the Round – Abbotsford Convent

Events Calendar

Loading view.
  • August 2022

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

2 events, 1

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

Program Franz Schubert Schwanengesang D 957 Songmakers Australia Schubert’s last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of…

Free
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

A performance of cherished works and Gallic beauty. About the artists Seraphim Trio is as much a lifelong friendship as a…

$40 – $50

0 events, 2

1 event, 3

11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

Riveting passion balanced with delicate lyricism. About the artists Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s…

$42 – $49

0 events, 4

0 events, 5

1 event, 6

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

World-renowned violinist Ray Chen makes his long-awaited return to Australia with some of the most demanding, impressive, and emotionally riveting works…

$65.55 – $159

2 events, 7

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

Join Flinders Quartet for the sumptuous romanticism and grandeur of Brahms, and the ingenuity and wit of Haydn. Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba -…

$29 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

Corpus Medicorum Rebirth 2022 Concert Series. Artists Charlotte Miles cellist Keith Crellin OAM conductor Program Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Op.85 Antonín Dvořák Symphony No.7…

$10 – $60

1 event, 8

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

A journey to the corners of human experience with Schubert’s Schwanengesang. About the artists Stewart Kelly is one of Australia’s most sought-after…

$40 – $50

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

1 event, 11

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

Innovative arrangements, technical flair and superb playing. About the artists Melbourne Guitar Quartet have carved out a reputation for curating utterly…

$40 – $50

0 events, 12

0 events, 13

3 events, 14

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s third concert of the year takes us through works by Benjamin Britten, Don Bank, and…

Free
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56

0 events, 15

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

0 events, 18

0 events, 19

1 event, 20

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

"Real and Right and True" - a celebration of the art song tradition of Australia and the United Kingdom. Lotte Betts-Dean,…

$10 – $35

0 events, 21

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

0 events, 24

0 events, 25

0 events, 26

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

1 event, 4

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

The Friends of the Auburn Tower Inc presents Wanderlust, featuring Elyane Laussade, piano, and Luke Severn, bass baritone, in a musical…

$20 – $35
August 1
August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

  • There are no events on this day.
August 3
August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 6
August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 7
August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 8
August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

View Calendar

Classic Melbourne’s reviews policy

audio
Our point of differenceby Editor Suzanne Yanko

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Follow us on Facebook

Classic Melbourne

Melbourne Arts Centre

Melbourne Arts Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

Introducing Classic Melbourne

audio
Speech at launch by Conductor Andrew Wailes

Your browser does not support the audio element.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

@2019 - All Right Reserved.

Read alsox

Carols in the Chapel

14th December, 2018

Lyric Opera of Melbourne: Fly

4th September, 2019

A Russian Spectacular

17th October, 2012