Waverley Singers

"Triumphant return to Maltings for Waverley Singers"

The following review by Margaret Houston was contributed to The Herald newspaper and published on 22 April 2011.

On Sunday 3rd April a packed Farnham Maltings Great Hall audience welcomed the Waverley Singers back, after 10 years, to this popular arts venue. The concert was of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances”, and Rachmaninov’s “Suite for two pianos” Op. 17.

Carl Orff was born in 1895 and lived mostly in Munich, Bavaria, and many of his works show the strong influence of Bavarian folklore. He also realised several Monteverdi opera scores and staged and conducted operas by Heinrich Schütz. Orff became internationally known as a music educator with his Orff-Schulwerk, a large collection of pieces for children written beginning in 1935. Largely based on simple but progressive variations on rhythmic patterns, they involve singing, clapping and percussion instruments, such as glockenspiels and xylophones. He saw percussive rhythms as a basic form of human expression. There is evidence of all these parts of his composing life in Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, a setting of a collection of mediaeval poetry celebrating life and love found in a Bavarian monastery. The work was the hit of his career.

The piece begins explosively with the “O Fortuna” made popular by use in advertising, but there is so much more. Twenty four sections in either Latin or old German with little repetition, creating a real challenge to the choir who sing most of these. The Waverley Singers had prepared well, but I had the translation in front of me and would have liked to see their faces acting out those words more. Orff’s wish was for “total theatre” where music, words, and movement work together, producing an overwhelming effect. Much effort went into the rhythmic aspects of the music and the choir seemed energised by the effect, passing this on to the audience. The chorus of girls was sung charmingly by members of The Petersfield Youth Choir.

The Waverley Singers had once again invited excellent young vocal soloists. They captured the drama of the solos in “Carmina Burana”, really demonstrating the need for a full on operatic approach to these lyrics. Their faces and demeanour told the story as much as their voices. I particularly enjoyed Hannah Bradbury who has a lovely bright and lyrical soprano voice, and Jonathan McGovern who relished his role as the Abbott whose “assembly is one of drinkers”. Rupert Charlesworth had the unenviable task of taking the part of a roasted swan sitting on a serving dish. Orff challenges the singer to sing in an uncomfortably wide range and use falsetto. Poor swan.

The singers were accompanied by pianists Jakob Rothoff and Jonathan Beatty on two beautifully matched Steinway pianos and the Percussion Ensemble of the Brandenburg Sinfonia. The sensitivity of them all shone through in the quieter sections and they filled the hall with dynamic brilliance when required. I have to admit to being mesmerised by the timpanist, Tristan Fry, who has played all over the world with both The Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Sky, the group that included John Williams and Herbie Flowers.

After the interval came the Rachmaninov’s Suite for two pianos. This piece has Russian flavour, rhythmic drive and brilliant virtuosity and was a real treat to hear. Jonathan Beatty and Richard Pearce displayed enviable technique and artistry as they enjoyed this opportunity in which we were able to share as listeners.

The programme finished with the “Polovtsian Dances”, sung by the choir. Borodin was a member of “The Five” composers, including also Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. Their aim was to make art music that was Russian in its use of themes and subjects. This is music actually from an opera, so again there is a requirement to act, even if restrained by standing in rows. This time the words were in English so easier for all. Waverley Singers obviously enjoyed this concert and the chance to let their hair down in a programme of intensely dramatic music. I hope they find more such opportunities in the future.