Concert:: The Poetic Journey with Stephen Cleobury

Date/Time: 23 Jul 11, 7.30 pm

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Ticket Price: Standard - S$45, S$35, S$25; Concession - S$28, S$20

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A rare opportunity to see choral music luminary, Stephen Cleobury, conducting Singapore’s most outstanding chamber choir in a programme of rarely performed and heard choral works that will engage, inspire and uplift you.

As Director of Music at King’s College, Cambridge and Conductor Laureate of the BBC Singers, Stephen Cleobury is associated with two of Britain’s most famous choirs. In his illustrious career, he has also worked with leading symphony orchestras and period instrument ensembles. As the first choir in Singapore to be directed by Cleobury in a full concert, The Philharmonic Chamber Choir is honoured to present an evening of German chorales, and settings of English poetry by 20th century British composers.

[Repertoire]

Johann Sebastian Bach
Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden,
BWV230

Johannes Brahms
Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen

Benjamin Britten
Hymn to St Cecilia

James MacMillan
Christus Vincit

Nicholas Maw
One Foot in Eden Still, I Stand

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Richte mich, Gott

Max Reger
O Tod, wie bitter bist Du

Heinrich Schütz
Jauchzet dem Herren alle Welt
(Der 100. Psalm), SWV36

Michael Tippett
Dance, Clarion Air

Ralph Vaughan Williams
Three Shakespeare Songs

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SYF Actual Results

SAJ: G
Dunman High: S
RI: GwH
YJC: S
NYJC: G
HCI: GwH
MJC: G
SRJC: B
TJC: S
PJC: B
NJC: G
TPJC: S
RVHS: G
AJC: GwH
CJC: GwH
ACJC: GwH
NUSH: B
VJC: GwH

SYF Pt 3

PJ: Pre: HB Actual: B

Had split notes and generally airy tone; rushing for certain bits of cantate

NJ: Pre: HG/ GwH Actual: G

Although they had pitch problems and a tendency to go flat (esp for the set piece), there were some magical moments for the second piece. The last piece also showcased their technical abilities - control and subtlety in phrasing.

TPJ: Pre: HS Actual: S

Pitch problems for set piece; was best IMHO for the third piece - basses and tenors had many nice moments - esp with the intervals, however the piece was repetitive and was not technically challenging. [edited]

RVHS: Pre: S Actual: G

Had many pitch problems (split notes) and had a tendency to go sharp

AJ: Pre: HG/ GwH Actual: GwH

General tendency to go sharp though the overall performance was alright

CJ: Pre: HS Actual: GwH

Pitching issues - had voices (esp tenors) sticking out for set piece; second piece was generally well done; some phrasing felt disjointed in the third piece

ACJ: Pre: GwH Actual: GwH

Had best interpretation (imho) for set piece; split notes in sops for first two pieces; felt their forte for the first two pieces could have been more (considering their size); tenors could have had a more grounded tone than what was heard

NUS: Pre: CoP/ LB Actual: B

Had many pitch issues for first piece; recovered a little for 2nd and 3rd piece; moments where it was pretty good

VJ: Pre: GwH Actual: GwH

Were generally good pitch-wise; liked the tone of the basses, but didn't feel that intensity that makes u feel like u're listening to magic

SYF Pt 2

NYJC: Pre: HG Actual: G

Some obvious errors in pitching, but overall a strong showing

HCI: Pre: GwH Actual: GwH

Interesting pieces; crucifixus was imho a little too heavy/ tenative - but that's a personal pref; had stable and good overall performance

MJ: Pre: HG Actual: G

Good overall performance, but it lacked a certain intensity despite there being increase and decrease in dynamics

SRJ: Pre: B Actual: B

Earnest performance, but had many pitch errors (split notes etc) and pieces were not of a high technical difficulty

TJ: Pre: LS Actual: S

Tenors generally needed to have a rounder, thicker voice; had some pitch errors throughout

SYF Pt 1

SAJC: Pre: LG (edited) Actual: G

Tendency to go flat, male voices tend to be nasal, entrances could be less sudden

Dunman High: Pre: LS Actual: S

Chamber choir with tendency to go flat; has a muffle sound; lack of balance between male and female voices

RI: Pre: HG Actual: GwH

Cheated with diction in Crucifixus and phrasing a bit heavy; went a little out of tune for set piece

YJ: Pre: LS Actual: S

Problems mainly with diction; generally airy tune; stayed more in tune than dunman