Review

REQUIEM by R Schumann and Psalm 42 by F Mendelssohn and Scholars Baroque Aotearoa, conducted by Chalium Poppy, Church of St George and St John, Sunday, September 15

Only a week after the Edgecumbe Choir’s very well-received performance of Haydn’s Creation, the gifted professional conductor Chalium Poppy brought his chamber choir to Whakatāne’s Church of St George and St John last Sunday.

The Scholars Baroque Aotearoa chamber choir is based in Tauranga and they usually perform there. It was wonderful to be able to hear this outstanding choir here in Whakatāne, making the most of the fabulous acoustics at the Church of St George and St John.

Chalium was talking to Bryan Crump about his work with his three choirs and individual musicians on Radio NZ’s Concert’s from Three to Seven’ programme on August 30.

The Scholars Baroque are Chalium’s most professional choir and this was evident in their interpretation of the music, their almost flawless phrasing, use of tempi and dynamics.

Chalium is a conductor totally in control of his singers and the result is a rich texture of sound experience, from quiet and gentle piano via mezzo to fortissimo.  

The Scholars Baroque successfully conveyed the deep sadness and spiritual contemplation of Robert Schumann’s Requiem, which then ended in the calming and redemptive Sanctus and Benedictus.

Soprano Elizabeth Mandeno returned to sing the solo parts of both works. Again, she impressed with her beautiful voice, thoughtful interpretation and seemingly boundless energy.

While the Requiem is sung in Latin (with German accent), the Mendelssohn works were sung in well pronounced German.

The inspiration for the music is again emotional turmoil and the search for release from sadness and pain through God.

In both works, the choir and the soloist worked closely together, providing wonderful musical moments of individual, section and layered sound.

Only on a few occasions the male voices seemed to be a little outdone by the female voices.

The audience was also treated to organist David Burchell’s highly accomplished accompaniment on Warner Haldane’s portable organ.

He added much to the overall enjoyment of the afternoon’s musical delights.

The performers were rightly rewarded with enthusiastic and sustained applause.

– Susanne Whale, Chair Arts Whakatāne