Cumbria Baroque Choir, Lancaster Priory
ANYONE who couldn’t attend the performance of Mozart’s Requiem, Fantasia, and Coronation Mass at Lancaster Priory, missed a treat. Cumbria Baroque Choir and Priory Festival Orchestra, conducted by the ever-smiling and imperturbable Gareth Green, did the two choral pieces more than justice, and Ian Pattinson gave a memorable performance of the Fantasia on the glorious Priory organ.
The event synthesised Lancaster and Kendal (birthplace of the Cumbria Baroque), and old and young, in the most satisfying ways. Soloists have major roles to play in these pieces, weaving in and out of the choral parts, as well as singing together operatically at dramatic moments. Margaret Pattinson, founder of the choir, and Stephen Newlove, lifted hearts as experienced soprano and tenor soloists. Young Nancy Cole, alto, already a distinguished member of The Sixteen, was, quite simply, a knock out. And the even younger Charlie Murray, who stepped in at a couple of weeks’ notice, did amazingly well as the bass.
The poignancy of the Requiem, which terminally-ill Mozart handed to his pupil Süssmayr to complete from his death bed in 1791, was nicely complemented by the more upbeat Coronation Mass in C. The drama and depth of both choral pieces was beautifully bridged by the pathos and sparkle of the Organ Fantasia.
Good feeling and enthusiasm, as well as talent, characterise choir, orchestra, soloists, conductor, and organist.
Don’t miss Bach’s St John Passion on Sunday, December 4, also at Lancaster Priory.
Penny Summerfield
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