Respighi with Seasoning
by berberis on Dec.12, 2004, under Choir, Concerts, LCS, Rehearsals
Saturday, 11th December 2004, St Mary’s Church, Lewisham.
This concert opened with the standard Once in royal David’s city, before the main feature Ottorino Respighi’s Lauda per la Nativita del Signore.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Ottorino Respighi was old. Renaissance old, rather than chronologically. Perhaps it’s the name. But no. Maestro Respighi was born in 1879 and died, somewhat earlier than he might have wanted, in 1936. Positively modern.
It’s much more to do with the fact that the depth and breadth of my musical knowledge is woefully inadequate. The most basic research reveals that Respighi was deeply interested in music from the 16th and 17th century, and it sounds like it, too.
I don’t mean that in a disparaging way; it’s actually a very lovely piece. We were accompanied by The Aurelian Woodwind Ensemble, using the original instrumentation.
Also on the menu: O come, O come, Emmanuel – Adam lay ybounden – I sing of a maiden – Of the Father’s Heart begotten – Nativity Carol – Myn lyking – Run, Shepherds, Run! & The Three Kings by Jonathan Dove – O come, all ye faithful – Sir Christemas
Soloists for the Respighi were Rosalind Waters (soprano), Kate Mapp (mezzo-soprano), Vernon Kirk (tenor). Katrine Reimers and Robert Hunter played the piano, and Andrew Dutson the organ.
