Bravo for a musical remembrance

This impressive concerto mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War saw the Haffner Orchestra join forces with the Lancaster Singers.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Nov 2014, 14:55 BST
Music reviewMusic review
Music review

The programme included Brahms’ Song of Destiny, Nänie (Song of Lamentation), How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings (from the Requiem) and Haydn’s Mass in Time of War.

Conducted with expression and passion by Marco Fanti, the assembled musicians immediately conveyed the calm but melancholic atmosphere of the Song of Lamentation.

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Good balance between the voices and instrumentalists with woodwind and oboe, in particular, created some highly emotive and dramatic moments.

In the other Brahms pieces, the choir and orchestra again worked well together to set the mood of tragedy and loss.

In the second half, Justin Doyle conducted the joint enterprise in a superb performance of Haydn’s Mass in Times of War. From the outset, this interpretation had pace, sheer musicality and clear direction, moving us through the changing atmosphere of the mass-parts with a religious dignity worthy of the sacred text.

Bravo!

Angela Pendlebury