Brahms Requiem
Soprano: Henna Mun
Baritone: John Lofthouse
Chameleon Arts Ensemble
Mendelssohn: Sechs Sprüche (Six Sentences) Opus 79
Richard Strauss: Schlagende Herzen; Morgen (Soprano solo, with violin and piano)
Johannes Brahms: Vier ernste Gesänge, Opus 121 (Baritone Solo, with piano)
----INTERVAL----
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, Opus 45 (With piano and eight instruments, arranged by Iain Farrington
The main piece in this concert was Johannes Brahms' 'Ein Deutsches Requiem'. This is an intensely personal and humane work: influenced, it is believed, by the death of Brahms' own mother.
We performed a version for chamber orchestra and piano scored by the well-known composer and arranger Iain Farrington, who has performed with the Waverley Singers many times in the past.
Our Soprano soloist was rising young star Henna Mun, who sang with us in the Mozart Mass in C Minor in April 2022, and we welcomed for the first time the accomplished baritone John Lofthouse. We also enjoyed performing again with the Chameleon Arts Ensemble.
The concert also featured six part songs by Mendelssohn, 'Sechs Sprüche', and other songs (details to follow).
In the four podcast videos below you can see:
- Our conductor Richard Pearce talking about the work and why he considered it a perfect piece for the Waverley Singers;
- Our Soprano Soloist, Henna Mun, saying about why she was looking forward so much to singing the Brahms with us;
- Our Baritone Soloist, John Lofthouse, talking about the importance of performance in all singing, and why singing Brahms is such a fulfilling experience;
- And finally, Hannah Bates talking about the work of The Therapy Garden, our supported charity.
Reviews
"Singing in German not an issue for Waverleys"
The following review by Philippa Penfold appeared in the Farnham Herald on 13 April 2023:
The Waverley Singers, led by Richard Pearce and ably accompanied by the Chameleon Arts Ensemble and two excellent soloists, scored another triumph with their concert at Saint Andrew's Church in Aldershot on March 25.
First up were Mendelssohn's Sechs Sprüche (Six Sentences), sung unaccompanied. They moved smoothly through each sentence and it was clear the choir had worked hard on their German diction. The last sentence brought dramatic tonal shifts, ending on a wonderful chord.
Richard Pearce then accompanied young soprano Henna Mun in two beautiful songs by Richard Strauss. The first, Schlagende Herzen, tells the story of two lovers and their beating hearts. Henna Mun brought it to life with her bright and vivacious singing and personality. The second song Morgen! opened with a soft solo violin, played by Miranda Alan, before the soprano voice joined gently.
Baritone soloist John Lofthouse then performed Brahms' Vier Ernste Gesänge (Four Serious Songs). His rich voice and beautiful intonation was supported by delicate piano accompaniment by the conductor.
At the interval, Stella Diamond appealed on behalf of The Therapy Garden charity in Normandy and a post-concert collection raised £753.95.
The second-half was devoted to Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem (German Requiem). A small, beautifully balanced, orchestra joined the choir, with Phil Scriven providing assured piano accompaniment. This powerful and poignant piece showed the Waverley Singers at their best. Both Henna Mun and John Lofthouse sang their solo parts with great intensity and skill, delicately supported by the choir. The last two movements are a real test, ending with a huge climactic finish, before the choir picked itself up for the final, peaceful, ending to this monumental piece.
Well done, the Waverleys!
Gallery
Youtube