Past Concerts
May 2010 - 'Missa Spiritu '- another great success for Shoalhaven Lydian Singers
Mozarts Requiem with SYO 2009
We had a very successful year in 2009. We performed six times presenting four concerts of varying genres;
May 2009 - In Love Concert at Nowra School of Arts - Popular and Jazz
July 2009 - Berry Proms at The Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre - Classical and Opera
October 2009 - Mozarts Requiem with The Shoalhaven
Youth Orchestra - Classical
(See review below)
December 2009 - Christmas Carol Service at St Patricks Church Berry
REVIEW MOZARTS REQUIEM
...AND MAKE A MIGHTY SOUND
The Nowra School of Arts saw a first-time musical event on the 7th and 8th November 2009, with performances of the "Requiem" by Wolfgang Mozart - in joint concerts by the
Shoalhaven Lydian Singers and the Shoalhaven Youth Orchestra
The first half started with 'The Heavens Are Telling' from the Haydn Creation oratorio, with moving singing from Noni Rogan, Tim Johnston and Reuben Rattray. Further items included the great 'Stabat mater dolorosa' from Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. This featured a beautiful vocal duet by Sarah Turvey and Joy Sharpe, accompanied by a skilled SYO quartet of the concert master Jacob Antonio and Hayley Johnson on violins, Alan Rossman on viola and Madelaine Hitchcock on cello.
The orchestra completed this section with Danse Macabre from Saint-Seans, and the Mendelssohn Nocturne and Rustic Dance.
The second half featured the great Requiem - composed by Wolfgang Mozart in 1791 as his last work, shortly before his death. This major work was presented in 12 movements, with wonderful choral and solo singing: from the Lydians, impressive vocal colours in this Requiem were enjoyed from a quartet of leading singers, in Ona Boyd-Frazier, alto, Sarah Turvey, soprano (our own SYO manager), Robert Boyd, tenor, Brian Outten, bass (and the proud SYO grandparent to our oboe player)
This reviewer found their voices in the 'Recordare' and 'Benedictus' most inspiring - in fact transcendent.
Within these movements of the Requiem, great work in underlying SYO soloist lines with the singers included Melissa Morris on trombone with the 'Tuba Mirim' solo; and Georgina Gannon on clarinet, on the bassett horn lines.
SYO players were augmented by some valued guest players- Benjamin Cheung (violin), Alan Rossman (viola), Jason Kok (clarinet) - and Izac Sadler whose percussion brought great power to the orchestra's role in the Requiem
Finally, almost as a 'warm down' a rousing version of Handel's 'Hallelujah Chorus' from The Messiah moved the packed audience to join in, and later leave in wonder at the unique and thrilling listening gift they had enjoyed. It will not be forgotten.
Congratulations to Jacqui Hitchcock and Lesley Challender accompanied by Tania McGrath for their skilled direction of these ambitious works - and to all the hard work in preparation and performance by all members of both groups
Geoff Bolton