‘I got rhythm’. . . . . .
. . . . . well I had by the time I left the Chichester Voices concert on National Poetry Day 8th October at St Thomas à Becket’s Church!
If only our Queen could’ve been there to hear ‘Zadok the Priest’ to remind her of her Coronation so very many years ago and had she heard Michael Walsh’s Requiem, she would certainly have ‘booked’ it for her Funeral Service.
How inspirational of Dr Andrew Naylor to commission this composition from choir member Michael, for he knows so well all the Voices’ tones, qualities and capabilities. I can imagine him holding the various choristers in his heart and mind as he was composing – and how very well they interpreted it!
All choirs are able to sing loudly, some softly, in perfect blend and tuning, but only a handful can whisper in tune as The Chichester Voices did. You could hardly believe your ears. The exciting organ preludes, so brilliantly played by Richard Allum, prepared us for the varied emotions of the Mass to come.
Then, for something completely different – 3 Folksongs, 3 Spirituals and 2 ‘In the Mood’ pieces – I bet ‘Hutch’ (Leslie Hutchinson 1900-1969) who used to sing and play ‘Begin the Beguine’ (one of the most romantic songs by Cole Porter) would delight to hear it!
Wonderful, uplifting ‘Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray’ . . . on the way home, there were many prayers of thanksgiving for God’s gift of music.