Saturday 01 April saw The Micklegate Singers, under the inspired direction of Nicholas Carter, perform “Literary Influences”, a programme inspired by poetic works by writers including Shakespeare and Edward Lear. My lack of familiarity with many of the works meant that I approached the evening with a slight tinge of trepidation, but the able and commanding performance of the choir left me elated and grateful that I was able to be there. | "The humour, and the clarity with which it was communicated, left the audience in hysterics" | |
The innovative programme began with “Calico Pie” by R.R. Bennett, based on the surreal poetry of Edward Lear. The music, which was technically quite demanding, was sung with assurance, and the humour was well-communicated. A good venue, with an acoustic that lent itself to good diction, ensured complete clarity throughout every line. It was a nice touch that someone had also taken the time to put this section of the programme notes into a sequence of limericks. After two short readings of Lear’s work, the first half concluded with the world premiere of a work especially commissioned for the group. Three poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins had been set by composer John Paynter, in a work entitled “Inscape”. Whilst I have never been a fan of Hopkins’ writing, this musical adaptation was nothing short of exceptional. Through sympathetic fidelity to the text, and an artful use of rhythm and meter, Paynter’s work allowed the choir to show their potential with remarkable effect, especially in the final sonnet “Spring”. The second half opened with the choir performing “Five Ariel Songs” by Frank Martin, a former Professor of Composition in Cologne. This proved to be the highlight of the evening, with a sublime demonstration of harmonic texture and balance. The penultimate passage, “Three Men of Sin”, was haunting and dramatic, and exemplified the high quality of the entire recital. Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Three Shakespeare Songs” are old favourites, performed faultlessly, although their familiarity made them seem almost ordinary compared to many of the vibrant, lesser-known works on the programme. The concert concluded with a dazzling jaunt through the poetry of Wendy Cope, set by Giles Swayne. The humour, and the clarity with which it was communicated, left the audience in hysterics, and rounded off a musical triumph. My only regret, after a splendid evening of music and verse, was that more people were not there to enjoy what I had seen. The choir will next be performing on Saturday 15th July at the Chapter House. Their programme is entitled “After Purcell”, and if it is half as invigorating as “Literary Influences”, I shall be most certainly be there. Greg | 
