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MSO: Britten’s War Requiem

by Heather Leviston 13th June, 2015
by Heather Leviston 13th June, 2015

To further commemorate the centenary of Anzac and “The war to end all wars”, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presented a poignant nine-minute work by an Australian composer and an outstanding rendering of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem. Originally performed for the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed in a World War II bombing raid, the latter has come to epitomise the voice of pacifism.

Programmed as a prelude to Britten’s devastating critique of war and its horrors, Frederick Septimus Kelly’s 1915 Elegy for String Orchestra “In memoriam Rupert Brooke” draws upon the mood and musical language of the English Pastoral. Written in 1915, it was inspired by Brooke’s death and the composer’s participation in his burial on the Greek Island of Skyros as their battalion prepared to land at Gallipoli. Kelly was killed on the Somme while leading an attack the following year. (Although the Australian Chamber Orchestra included the work in their recent Reflections on Gallipoli program, this was its first performance by the MSO.)

In this gently melancholy piece for strings and harp, the MSO players under Sir Andrew Davis gave a tender account of questioning exchanges between upper and lower strings and concertmaster Eoin Andersen added a restrained note of wistful longing in several passages for solo violin. An appealing and accessible work, with moments of lush, surging string tone, it might have been a candidate for the latest Swoon 100 had it been more familiar. This was its first performance by the MSO.

For many, Britten’s War Requiem fulfilled his hope that “It’ll make people think a bit”; it also made people feel strongly and members of the audience responded in a variety of ways. By the end of Thursday night’s performance, several people from one section of the Stalls had walked out while others were mopping away the tears. It would seem that one of the most important choral works of the twentieth century still evokes mixed reactions. It was certainly not the quality of the performance that some patrons would have objected to. In the past, Britten’s pacifism, homosexuality and musical innovation have all aroused indignation and/or antipathy. At least the second of these factors would not have proved a problem.

On the title page of his score Britten quoted Wilfred Owen: “My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity … All a poet can do today is warn.” There is no doubt that Owen’s gut-wrenching poetry and the way Britten juxtaposes the Requiem Mass against the Old Testament story of Abraham and Isaac to comment on the Church’s complicity in the horrors of war may have been too confronting for some. Britten’s work is designed to pack the kind of punch that will leave an audience reeling.

The music itself is also confronting. Britten’s employs the tritone as a recurring motif serving to unify the whole work. Tubular bells clang out a death knell, not merely as a solemn tolling to mark death but also as a dissonant reminder of the ugliness of war. It is a deliberate interruption of thoughts of heroism and consolation, even as the voices of the German baritone and British tenor wind around each other in the “Let us sleep now…” and the chorus intones the final “Requiescant in pace”. It is profoundly moving, all the more so because of the emotional intensity and musical strength of these performances.

Those who have grown up with Britten’s 1963 Decca recording, featuring the soloists for whom Britten wrote, could not help but be struck by how closely the MSO soloists resembled Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Galina Vishnevskaya in vocal quality. Ian Bostridge may have a more beautiful voice than Pears, but his diction is equally impeccable and his musicality and emotional commitment extraordinary. It is difficult to imagine a more commanding and “true” performance than Bostridge’s. “Move him into the sun” and “It seemed that out of battle I escaped” were imbued with an eloquence of a rare order.

German bass-baritone Dietrich Henschel was a perfect match. His voice blended with Bostridge’s in harmonious accord at key points while retaining its own brand of beauty and distinctive timbre. The reiterations of “Bugles sang” were among many telling moments of pathos and desolation.

Russian soprano Tatiana Pavlovskaya is, understandably, much sought after as an outstanding exponent of the soprano solos in this work by major symphony orchestras around the world. Her voice has the weight and presence to ride easily over choral and orchestral forces in great arcs of luscious resonance. From her initial dramatic entrance in “Liber scriptus” her voice carried all the passion and ritualistic authority afforded by the Latin text, which is used for one of the three distinct groups for the work. Although positioned at the back of the orchestra, her voice was clearly audible even with boys, chorus and orchestra in full flight for the final “In paradisum”. Sitting at the front of the Balcony for the second performance, it was difficult to believe that her voice was not being assisted by amplification. It wasn’t. What is more, her svelte physique was proof that an enormous voice does not require a corresponding girth. Even more thrilling than her seismic vocal power was Pavlovskaya’s ability to achieve the most stunning controlled diminuendos at the ends of phrases.

In addition to first-rate soloists, the MSO Chorus and the National Boys Choir of Australia were truly impressive. Softer passages were so well blended and managed with such precise timing that it was like the murmur of one instrument that began and concluded the work. Passages of unaccompanied chorus work revealed an admirable ability to sustain pitch and vocal quality at all times. As the group accompanied by chamber organ, the boys sang from the back of the Balcony with exemplary discipline and skill.

The full orchestra and the chamber orchestra that accompanied the two male soloists gave of their excellent best, with the brass making a particularly fine contribution throughout the evening, most notably in the “Dies Irae”.

Sir Andrew Davis ensured that these were exceptionally powerful performances of an important masterpiece that still presents challenges for modern audiences. There appeared to be fewer members anxious to leave on the second night, but the passage in Owen’s text describing how Abraham “slew his son, – And half the seed of Europe, one by one” proved to be an exit trigger for some on both nights. It appeared that the sentiments expressed in the text rather Britten’s musical imagination might have been the issue.

Although this intense depiction of “The pity of war” may have proved a bridge too far for certain members of the audience, most responded with great enthusiasm to such masterful performances.

Heather Leviston attended two performances of Britten’s War Requiem at Hamer Hall, on June 11 and 12.

The picture is of soloist  Tatiana Pavlovkaya.

 

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Heather Leviston

Heather Leviston has devoted much of her life to listening to classical music and attending concerts. An addiction to vocal and string music has led her to undertake extensive training in singing and perform as a member of the Victoria State Opera chorus and as a soloist with various musical organisations.

As a founding academic teacher of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, she has had the privilege of witnessing the progress of many talented students, keenly following their careers by attending their performances both in Australia and overseas.

As a reviewer, initially for artsHub, and also for Sounds like Sydney, she has been keen to bring attention to the fine music-making that is on offer in Australia, especially in the form of live performance. Heather is a valued member of Classical Melbourne’s editorial team, with her reviews of opera and vocal music valued by performers and audiences alike.

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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

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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

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1 event, 6

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

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

Ray Chen

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$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

1 event, 12

7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 12 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

Wicked magicians, unrequited love, and human sacrifice for a bountiful spring – these ballets have it all! The MSO travels through…

$64 – $119

1 event, 13

7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

Wicked magicians, unrequited love, and human sacrifice for a bountiful spring – these ballets have it all! The MSO travels through…

$64 – $119

4 events, 14

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

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

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

"Erwartung" Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas In this recital ERWARTUNG (expectation) Markus Matheis and Dean Sky-Lucas present a concert which chronicles…

$20 – $25
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

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2 events, 18

6:30 pm - 7:20 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Harold in Italy

August 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:20 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Harold in Italy

The prose of Lord Byron provides the artistic inspiration behind this large-scale symphonic poem by Berlioz. MSO Principal Viola Christopher Moore…

$55 – $95
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Guitarra – Paco Peña and The Grigoryan Brothers

August 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Guitarra – Paco Peña and The Grigoryan Brothers

A perfect merger of two musical worlds in one performance. About the concert Paco Peña, described by Guitar Player magazine as the ‘world’s…

$79 – $110

1 event, 19

7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Poetry in Music – Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

August 19 @ 7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Poetry in Music – Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

The prose of Lord Byron provides the artistic inspiration behind two large-scale symphonic poems by Berlioz and Tchaikovsky. MSO Principal Viola…

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2 events, 20

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

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

Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

Sheku Kanneh-Mason shot to global fame after his mesmerising performance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.…

$59 – $119
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

2 events, 21

11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

August 21 @ 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

Be swept up the whirlwind of love in Romantic Adventure. Coruscating works make up this scintillatingly curated program, with each piece…

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

August 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

Melbourne Youth Orchestra welcomes popular, Vienna based Australian conductor Warwick Stengaards to the podium for The Dancing Orchestra. Vivacious music by Khachaturian,…

$15 – $30

1 event, 22

7:30 pm

Great Performers 2022: Yeol Eum Son

August 22 @ 7:30 pm

Great Performers 2022: Yeol Eum Son

Yeol Eum Son’s graceful and timeless interpretations have moved audiences all over the world. Highly regarded as a brilliant virtuoso, she…

$49 – $119

1 event, 23

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby & Friends Twilight Series – In the Shadow of War

August 23 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby & Friends Twilight Series – In the Shadow of War

The surprising connection between these works is that of wartime conflict and how it impacted each composer. Program Matthew Hindson -…

$55 – $57

0 events, 24

1 event, 25

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

ELISION – The Aesthetics of Disappearance

August 25 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

ELISION – The Aesthetics of Disappearance

ELISION is an experimental classical music ensemble focused upon pushing sonic and instrumental boundaries in search of visceral expressive experiences. The Aesthetics…

$30 – $37

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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

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

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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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 12
August 12 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 13
August 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

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

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

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.
August 18
August 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:20 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Harold in Italy

August 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Guitarra – Paco Peña and The Grigoryan Brothers

August 19
August 19 @ 7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Poetry in Music – Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

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

Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

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

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

August 21
August 21 @ 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

August 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

August 22
August 22 @ 7:30 pm

Great Performers 2022: Yeol Eum Son

August 23
August 23 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby & Friends Twilight Series – In the Shadow of War

August 25
August 25 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

ELISION – The Aesthetics of Disappearance

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

Wanderlust

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

Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

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

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

August 21
August 21 @ 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

August 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

August 22
August 22 @ 7:30 pm

Great Performers 2022: Yeol Eum Son

August 23
August 23 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby & Friends Twilight Series – In the Shadow of War

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August 25
August 25 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

ELISION – The Aesthetics of Disappearance

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

Wanderlust

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