Review: NCS triumph at the Abbey

The New Century Singers of Bovey recently performed their series of summer concerts. In a departure from their lighter programming they undertook a concert of “serious” or more “classical” works. They were completely at ease with the challenges thrown at them. The three venues of Bovey Tracey PPT Church, St. Peter’s, Buckland in the Moor and culminating at Buckfast Abbey, the singers rose to the occasion and showed that they could sing anywhere.

The “Home & The Heartland” taken from Riverdance was a good crowd settler. The guest soprano soloist, Theresa Moorin sang three different styles of pieces. The beautiful Ave Maria by Caccini, a solo from Love Never Dies by Lloyd Webber. She then finished with a dazzling performance of Alleluia by Mozart. The accompaniment by Wyn Turner was as we have come to expect, of the highest quality.

The Dirait-on by the American composer Morten Lauridsen followed with the choir showing restraint and good quality of tone.

The Welsh folk tune Lisa Lan was particularly notable for it’s charming tune and sensitive backing from the choir. Fay Churchill the soloist in this item sang in Welsh and English and sang with great beauty and musicality, particularly in the Abbey which only enhanced her performance.

The stunning Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre followed. This is where the choir showed us how good they can be. The shimmering dissonances and gravitas of the gentlemen was inspirational, and in the acoustic of the Abbey, we were  transported away. The semi-chorus of Claire Stickley and Jane Midgeley created a mystical hypnotic effect with a beautiful long note as the choir weaved around them. Wyn Turner controlled each nuance of the piece expertly and with great understanding, and let the final chord shimmer away leaving the listener hanging in mid air.

The main work was the sumptuous Requiem by Fauré. It is a well known work and pleasing on many levels. Again the choir were confident right from the start and particularly notable were the tenors. In the Kyrie and Agnus Dei the tone was distinct and musical. In the absence of the baritone soloist the solos were sung by Stephen Moseley and Clive Sawers who did a sterling job at short notice. Theresa Moorin sang the Pie Jesu. As always, the choir was accompanied by Anna Matuszyk in a supportive and unobtrusive way. I was told this was her last concert with the choir and I’m sure she will be greatly missed.

Wyn Turner has brought his choir to new levels. The choir responded to every request and looked like they were enjoying themselves. The choirs departure from its comfort zone must have been quite a risk, but it has shown us what a very good choir the New Century Singers are and they are willing to be challenged.

A devoted music lover