Bach in style
Garth Wilshere
Bach Christmas Oratorio, Tudor Consort, Vector Wellington Orchestra, conductor – Michael Stewart, soloists – Anna Leese, Kate Spence, David Hamilton, Jared Holt, Wellington Town Hall, December 18, reviewed by Garth Wilshere
TUDOR Consort presented one of the best Messiahs a couple of years ago, and this year followed it up with the less well-known Christmas Oratorio by J S Bach.
The earlier concert was marked by a strong feeling for period style in a lively and historically informed performance. Those same elements were to the fore in this presentation also.
Michael Stewart is able to draw extraordinary things from his forces. They don’t make a big sound but it was polished and refined.
The four soloists were all outstanding. Each had his or her moments to shine. Anna Leese’s voice was radiant, Kate Spence’s was rich and warm, David Hamilton engaging as the narrator negotiating the complex recitative with ease, and Jared Holt, shortly heading overseas again, was as fine as I’ve ever heard him.
They sang giving due weight and understanding to the meaning of the texts which I particularly enjoyed.
The orchestra, with a few “ring ins” played superbly. Was this the same orchestra that I had reservations about only two weeks ago in the Messiah? Certainly I was happier with the violins this time from whom somehow Stewart managed to get more cohesive playing.
He is an elegant conductor, achieving a stylish performance.
The crucial but difficult trumpet parts were fearlessly done, particularly by Barrett Hocking on first. Four oboes are needed to create a very distinctive sound in the second part. Bach writes very tricky oboe and cor anglais obbligatos, here outstandingly performed. Jane Young on cello and Douglas Mews on organ played non-stop throughout the evening and provided a very stable “engine”.
And timpani, when required, drove and provided crisp momentum under Stewart’s excellent guidance. He was energized throughout which carried over into the performance.
The audience could safely sit back and enjoy a night of outstanding music making, and one of the concert highlights of 2010.
TUDOR Consort presented one of the best Messiahs a couple of years ago, and this year followed it up with the less well-known Christmas Oratorio by J S Bach.
The earlier concert was marked by a strong feeling for period style in a lively and historically informed performance. Those same elements were to the fore in this presentation also.
Michael Stewart is able to draw extraordinary things from his forces. They don’t make a big sound but it was polished and refined.
The four soloists were all outstanding. Each had his or her moments to shine. Anna Leese’s voice was radiant, Kate Spence’s was rich and warm, David Hamilton engaging as the narrator negotiating the complex recitative with ease, and Jared Holt, shortly heading overseas again, was as fine as I’ve ever heard him.
They sang giving due weight and understanding to the meaning of the texts which I particularly enjoyed.
The orchestra, with a few “ring ins” played superbly. Was this the same orchestra that I had reservations about only two weeks ago in the Messiah? Certainly I was happier with the violins this time from whom somehow Stewart managed to get more cohesive playing.
He is an elegant conductor, achieving a stylish performance.
The crucial but difficult trumpet parts were fearlessly done, particularly by Barrett Hocking on first. Four oboes are needed to create a very distinctive sound in the second part. Bach writes very tricky oboe and cor anglais obbligatos, here outstandingly performed. Jane Young on cello and Douglas Mews on organ played non-stop throughout the evening and provided a very stable “engine”.
And timpani, when required, drove and provided crisp momentum under Stewart’s excellent guidance. He was energized throughout which carried over into the performance.
The audience could safely sit back and enjoy a night of outstanding music making, and one of the concert highlights of 2010.
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