May 2016 at Tiverton Baptist Church
The programme consisted of Fauré’s Requiem, Serenade to Music by Vaughan Williams and Blest Pair of Sirens by Parry all accompanied by a thirty-piece orchestra. Th soloists were Ellie Partridge (soprano) and Nicholas Merryweather (Baritone). As well as their contributions in the Fauré and Vaughan Williams each performed solos. Ellie sang Le Secret by Fauré and Silent Noon by Vaughan Williams. Nicholas also chose Vaughan Williams singing Love Bade Me Welcome and The Call. All were very musically performed and a delight to listen to.
The whole programme was performed beautifully. Several members of the good-sized audience commented on what a lovely programme it was and how beautifully everyone performed.
There was well-deserved praise for the Musical Director, Andrew Daldorph, who once again has shown what a high standard can be achieved by a non-audition choir.
July 2016 at Tiverton Baptist Church
I very much enjoyed the Summer Concert, and the choir were in good form and seemed nicely balanced. Well done to all, and Andrew really made the organ ‘talk’. Quite a number of us in the audience were getting warmed up in the “Amen”, and were hoping that we could have an encore of it so that together we could ‘raise the roof’. (from someone in the audience).
Our Summer Charity Concert of Spirituals enticed a good size audience which, together with several individual gifts, has resulted in a total donation of £560 – which will be presented to Tiverton’s ‘Singing To Remember’ group on Monday July 25th. Bridget Tosh was absolutely thrilled at this news and is so very grateful to EDCS for considering them as the local Charity to benefit from our 2016 Summer Concert. As Bridget stated – it is of such great importance to her and her Co-Organiser – Jenny Evans – that other dementia sufferers can be brought along to join in with what is proving to be of such immense help to them and their Carers, in their extremely stressful lives.
Sue North- Vice Chair
November 2016 St Paul’s Church, Tiverton
Stabat Mater by Rossini & Messa di Gloris by Puccini
WHAT CAN I SAY? – To All In Choir – A SUPERB PERFORMANCE with many absolutely stunning moments, both pp and ff – and especially the subtle movement in between those variations. That was what, in this performance, was for me so very, very special. I rehearse all term and well know the ‘dodgy’ passages within each score and the huge effort Andrew has to go to week after week, with extreme patience, repeating the same instructions to us all – BUT – when it came to the moment on Saturday, the way you so intently gave your complete attention to Andrew’s conducting was so obvious – indeed, I found it very, very moving – with the sound you created, definately equal to those feelings ………….. MANY, MANY CONGRATULATIONS to CHOIR & of course, without ANY doubt – to ANDREW.
Sue North, Vice Chair
From classicaljourneyphonic.blogspot.co.uk
November 2016 Posted by Luch Càise-Dearg
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| East Devon Choral Society & Orchestra Leader: Fiona McLean-Buechel |
As storm Angus lashed the darkened streets of Tiverton, St Paul’s Church in Tiverton filled with expectant music-lovers anticipating an evening of sacred music with a very operatic flavour.
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| Soprano: Lucy Bray Alto: Alison Kettlewell Tenor: John Pierce Bass: Tim Mirfin |
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| Operatic Mezzosoprano Alison Kettlewell with voice student Lucy Bray Newton St Cyres 27 August 2013 |
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| Vice Chair: Sue North & Vic North present bouquets |
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| The welcome return of Lucy Bray |
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| ” Messa di Gloria” Tenor: John Pierce Bass: Tim Mirfin |
John Pierce and Tim Mirfin returned to the stage in the second half of the concert to accompany the choir in a joyful mass.
Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria” opens with a sweetly delicate “Kyrie” for choir, which was beautifully introduced by Fiona’s orchestra. With the soprano and alto voices to the fore, and gentle support fromt the men, the traditional plea for mercy became increasingly impassioned – with the insistent addition of Steve Douglas’ kettle drums, before being led sweetly back to delicate entreaty by Fiona’s string section. Andrew’s preparation had been faultless, and the scene was set perfectly.
The almost cinematic “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” was pitched high for the women, creating a false sense of calm – quickly dispelled by the ensuing tumult of voices with powerful support from the orchestra. Each rousing crescendo gave way, surprisingly, to sudden subtle gentleness, which was perfectly controlled by Andrew – and demonstrated the impressive dynamic range of the choir.
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| Andrew Daldorph conducts East Devon Choral Society (video still: Mike Brett) |
Half way through the Gloria, John Pierce took over for the traditional expression of gratitude to God for the joys of the world, “Gratius Agimus Tibi”. In a slightly more subdued mode, John was delightfully accompanied by the oboe of Andrew Maries and the clarinet of Chris Gradwell – before the energetic return of the choir.
With the barest accompaniment of plucked strings and gentle tympani, the choir continued with a march-like “Qui Tollis” in the distinctive romantic style of Puccini. Trevor Ives’ horns, with the trumpets of Paul Thomas and Claude Lamon, beefed up by John Cullimore’s tuba, added to the impressively regimented sound.
Following a climactic, and apparently final, “Amen” the action stopped abruptly. Extensive retuning took place in the orchestra. Fully back in tune, the orchestra were then ready for more. The choir launched into a feverishly energetic “Credo”. The swooping voices of the sopranos and altos were echoed by the strings – skilfully held under by Fiona and Andrew.
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| Leader & Conductor: Fiona McLean-Buechel & Andrew Daldorph |
The sudden gentleness of the ending had more impact than all that had gone before, and everything was spectacularly and perfectly controlled. The audience were delighted with the choir’s performance, and the loving work of their Musical Director Andrew Daldorph, with orchestra and soloists who incredibly had only joined them that day.
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| Wine for the Soloists John Pierce & Tim Mirfin |
Vice-Chair Sue North was on hand again, with red wine for the men. Just the thing to soothe hard-working vocal cords. Andrew Daldorph, modest as ever, was not expecting any public acclaim, but he was quite rightly presented with a bottle too – to express the gratitude and pleasure, of choir and audience alike, for his magnificent work.
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| . . . and the conductor: Andrew Daldorph |
Once again, the East Devon Choral Society have staged a brilliantly chosen, conceived and executed programme of music. The visiting instrumentalists and vocal soloists were exceptional, and the choir, as always, a pleasure to see and hear. Credit must go to Andrew Daldorph for the preparation and execution – and to the EDCS Committee for the tireless work which goes into bringing such splendid music to the public.
Not content to rest on their laurels, Andrew Daldorph and the East Devon Choral Society are already planning something even more spectacular for spring 2017. They will be back at the Baptist Church on Saturday 25 March to perform Bach’s “St John Passion”.
That will be a concert not to be missed. I can hear that opening chorus already . . .
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| East Devon Choral Society |
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| Soprano Soloist & Orchestra Leader Lucy Bray & Fiona McLean-Buechel |