Waverley Singers

Waverly Singers Remember

The following review was written by Anne Butterworth; we do not know if it was published in the newspaper.

“Concert for Remembrance” given by the Waverley Singers and their conductor, Richard Pearce, at St Andrew’s Garrison Church, Aldershot on Saturday, November 12 was “Memorable“ in more ways than one. The evening began with a setting of the now famous words by Lawrence Binyon “They shall grow not old” set for unaccompanied choir by Douglas Guest – himself a veteran of WWII. The uniformity of vowel sounds and clarity of diction, together with superb balance and delicate phrasing, made this a moving start to the evening.

Jennifer France and Alistair Ollerenshaw made a welcome return as Soprano and Baritone soloists. Both are postgraduate students, now at the Royal Academy of Music, with Opera as well as Oratorio in their repertoire. They and the Choir responded to the mood changes in Vaughan Williams’ work “Dona Nobis Pacem”, from the plea for peace, to the stimulating “Beat, Beat Drums”, from Old Testament prophecy to hope, “… on earth peace, good-will toward men“ and a final plea “Dona Nobis Pacem”. Richard Pearce brought the drama and complex emotions to the audience with an almost visual journey through the horrors of WWI.

Samuel Barber’s moving “Adagio for Strings” continued the solemn mood of the evening, followed by Fauré’s “Requiem“. Sadly, I found this disappointing. Unfortunately, the ethereal “Pie Jesu“, beautifully sung by Jennifer Francis, was interrupted by a rogue Fire Alarum. Jennifer maintained her composure but there was necessarily a break until peace was restored. The balance between Choir and accompaniment was less finally balanced and especially noticeable during “In Paradisum” where the final pianissimo was dominated by the organ.

This was an excellent concert and I, for one, will be sure to book my ticket for December 10 at Saint Andrew’s Church, Farnham, to hear Britten’s Cantata “St Nicolas” and Finzi’s “In Terra Pax“.