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Haydn Salve Regina, Handel Dixit Dominus, Haydn Nelson Mass: Goldsmiths Choral Union, Hertfordshire Classical Orchestra (cond Wright): soloists Martene Grimson (s), Daire Halpin (s), Sophie Mansell (a), Jon English (t), Nigel Williams (bar.): Cadogan Hall, 27th March 2009
I'd never been to a concert at Cadogan Hall before: it's a splendid venue, a converted spiritualist church with art-deco glass and an excellent acoustic. A friend of mine's been with Goldsmith's Choral Union for several decades, and booked an entire row of seats in the gallery for friends and family, so it was a convivial event.
The Salve Regina didn't do much for me, but it was pleasant and measured and soothing. Handel's Dixit Dominus was a much more complex work: so much going on, so many fascinating juxtapositions, plenty of drama. But it was the Nelson Mass -- which I've heard many times before -- that really clicked with me on this occasion. It seemed to bridge Baroque and Romantic: the trumpet fanfares reminded me of Biber (never a bad thing) but some passages were more reminiscent of Beethoven (especially Missa Solemnis). And the abrupt ending left the final notes echoing in my head for some time.
Shame it's not really about Nelson's victory at the Battle of the Nile: it's triumphant and exultant.
I'd never been to a concert at Cadogan Hall before: it's a splendid venue, a converted spiritualist church with art-deco glass and an excellent acoustic. A friend of mine's been with Goldsmith's Choral Union for several decades, and booked an entire row of seats in the gallery for friends and family, so it was a convivial event.
The Salve Regina didn't do much for me, but it was pleasant and measured and soothing. Handel's Dixit Dominus was a much more complex work: so much going on, so many fascinating juxtapositions, plenty of drama. But it was the Nelson Mass -- which I've heard many times before -- that really clicked with me on this occasion. It seemed to bridge Baroque and Romantic: the trumpet fanfares reminded me of Biber (never a bad thing) but some passages were more reminiscent of Beethoven (especially Missa Solemnis). And the abrupt ending left the final notes echoing in my head for some time.
Shame it's not really about Nelson's victory at the Battle of the Nile: it's triumphant and exultant.
