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| 145th Season |
Haydn ~ Insanae et vanae curae
Brahms ~ Song of Destiny
Mozart ~ Requiem
Derby Cathedral, 13th. November, 2010
Conducted by Richard Dacey |
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| Review by Mike Wheeler: |
Thrilling sense of urgency
Derby Choral Union’s taut, pacy account of Mozart’s Requiem was impressive testimony to their continually rising standards.
Richard Dacey’s conducting invested the performance with a thrilling sense of urgency, underlined by moving from Kyrie to Dies Irae without a break – liturgically impossible, but dramatically convincing in a concert performance.
The choir responded with both vitality and generous tonal warmth, apart from one or two moments of strain as the sopranos reached into the heights. Their strengths were matched by the playing of the Heart of England Chamber Orchestra. |
The well-chosen group of soloists comprised clear-toned soprano Erica Erloff and tenor Adrian Ward, balancing the warmth of mezzo Helen Sherman and Håkan Vramsmo’s sonorous but not heavy bass.
The concert opened with a fine, incisive reading of Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture. The alternating turbulence and tranquillity of Haydn’s motet Haydn Insanae et Vanae Curae were vividly contrasted, similarly in Brahms’s Song of Destiny. The change of tempo into the quick middle section was not quite cleanly managed, but the choral sound was finely blended and balanced.
Michael Wheeler
Derby Telegraph
19th. Nov. 2010 |
| Here is some feedback from members of the audience: |
Stimulating concert with more variety in the programme. The Brahms in particular was beautifully sung with dynamic interpretation - very expressive.
The old favourite of the Mozart Requiem lived up to expectations and the soloists blended well with some outstanding moments from the soprano.
Altogether another very enjoyable concert.
Margaret Cohen
We thought it was a lovely varied programme and had not heard the Haydn or Brahms before, and of course the Requiem was beautiful!
Brian & Ann Barry
A sheer delight!
The three short first half pieces were new to us and were delightful. The Choir’s German was as convincing as their Latin.
The Requiem was bliss. The Heart of England orchestra together with the DCU and the excellent soloists (especially the Soprano) proved to be a convincing combination.
We are constantly amazed at the high standards of artistry and professionalism exhibited by the DCU and the HofEO.
Well done. We look forward to your next concert.
Dr Hugh and Mrs Pamela Plummer
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It was the first time we had attended a concert by the Choral Union and
we were very happy with our evening. Extremely professional with
beautiful sound quality helped by the very good acoustics of the
cathedral.
One small niggle in that it was very difficult to find a good
unrestricted view in the £10 seats, but we certainly consider attending
another concert of yours. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Karen and Danny Kreft
Excellent concert. Mozart’s Requiem wonderful - ensemble of soloists was superb.
We also thought the choir was very good!
Brian Blissett
We thoroughly enjoyed DCU's concert on 13th November, not only the Requiem
and the Brahms, where the choir and soloists excelled themselves, but also
the short but delightful Haydn motet, which demanded a mix of angry and
reflective presentation.
The inclusion of an orchestral piece to start the proceedings is to be
commended, as it sets the scene for exciting things to follow. The choir
organisers are to be congratulated for the choice of programme.
Keep up the good work!
Geoff Lightbown |
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| Artists |
Erica Eloff
soprano
Helen Sherman
mezzo-soprano
Adrian Ward
tenor
Håkan Vramsmo
bass |
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