It is two weeks since we sang the Brahms German Requiem up at the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel, and the music is still resonating through my head at all sorts of unexpected moments. Talking to other Choir members, it is clear that I am not alone in experiencing these “flashbacks” to yet another wonderful musical experience. It must be some combination of the text, the music and the connections which Carlos made between them, which have fixed themselves in the unconscious, to surface later at the least provocation.
It was a memorable concert for several reasons. Firstly, the weather on the day left no doubt that we would be able to have the planned refreshments outside afterwards. It was an hour and a half after the concert finished that the last audience members went home, so that could be counted as one success.
Then there was the accompaniment of the two pianos. Some of us were initially nervous about not having an orchestra. But at the final rehearsal, any doubts were dispelled. Angela and Gregory played masterfully. When the Choir was singing quietly, their touch was so light that we could be confident of being heard. And when a full orchestral-style sound was required, they challenged us to join in a torrent of well-controlled, ever expressive, phrases, creating continual contrasts in tone and colour.
Lastly, as always, Carlos made sure at rehearsals that we understood what we were singing. That, to me, is the mark of a great conductor. The music is not there for its own sake: it is there as an integral part of communicating ideas and feelings deeply held by the composer. Our role as performers is to channel the communication from composer to audiences. From feedback received, it is clear that we did exactly that, and we did it very well.
Congratulations to everyone who had a part in making the concert such an enjoyable and satisfying event.
