Entering the Cathedral on Sunday evening to join the Evensong choir performing in the Candlelight Concert felt like being in an Aladdin’s cave.
At the rear of the church, fairy lights added another sparkling effect that promised the treasures to come.
This scene-setting was the brilliant idea and work of Jane and David Lucas. Extra lighting was set up by Mark and Sam Nicholls who did an excellent job. Together they spent hours creating the beautiful atmosphere in which we could appreciate the astonishing programme of choirs and individuals. They performed to an audience of 320 in the acoustically setting that the Cathedral offers.
We progressed through the flow of stunning performances, masterminded by the Cathedral Choral Director Nigel Weekes. We felt we were part of a “Nelson has Talent” show as the items were of such a high standard, beautifully executed and displaying a variety of musical genre.
The Concert opened with a haunting arrangement of fifteenth-century French melody “Veni, Veni, Emanuel” sung by the Cathedral Choir, conducted by Nigel Weekes and featuring Siobhan Gerritsen on cello, Louis Lucas-Perry on piano, and chorister Jody MacDonald singing the first verse. This was followed by the choir singing Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum” with soprano Rosemary Galton taking the solo section. Closing this bracket was a very moving rendition of “God so Loved the World” by John Stainer, sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Underpinning the entire programme was Cathedral organist, Paul Chan. His virtuoso solo performance of “Variations and Fugue on God Save the King” by Max Reger, and his sympathetic and competent accompanying of many of the performances, added so much to the success of the concert.
The talented violinist, Juliet Ayres, then took centre stage and with exquisite precision enhanced by the Cathedral acoustic, played the Adagio from Bach’s Sonata in G minor.
The Brass Quartet comprising Kay McKenzie, Mike Ford, Andrew Yorkstone and Ross Gerritsen appeared seated in front of the Communion rail. With amazing technical brilliance they performed an exciting work by Martin Ellerby, the brass instruments shining in the soft light of the candles.
Simone Tabilisi sang “Part of that World” by Alan Menken from the pulpit. She displayed an exceptional mastery of this Show Biz genre with her singing technique and ability to connect with her audience.
The Nelson Youth Choir was next on the programme and impressed the audience with four well chosen songs which included “Wairua o te Puna” and “Lullaby for Matariki”. Conducted by Rosemary Galton and accompanied by Maria Kolefff, the choir sang with expressive interpretation and well balanced sound. Lovely solo work added to the overall beauty of their presentation.
This was followed by the mellow sounds of the euphonium echoing poignantly throughout the Cathedral as the well-known melody “Bring in the Clowns” was masterfully presented by Ross Gerritsen.
The Cathedral Choir returned to sing the beautiful John Rutter anthem “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “A Song of Hope” by Mark Burrows accompanied by Paul Chan and conducted by Nigel Weekes. Louis Lucas-Perry joined us again to play, with great panache, the “Revolutionary Etude” op 10, No 12 by Chopin which proved to be a popular item with the appreciative audience.
A highlight of the concert was the performance of the Male Voice Choir. Always well prepared and energetic in their presentation they responded to Nigel Weeke’s precise direction and sang three songs with meaning and sensitivity. The favourite Welsh song “Gwadhoddiad” was followed by the Irish traditional song “Carrick Fergus”, and the spiritual “I’ll be there in Glory” composed by Mary McDonald concluded the bracket.
Then the lovely Vivaldi duet “Laudamus te” was sung beautifully by Nelson sopranos, Zoe Dee and Rosemary Galton, who have contributed so much to the training of young voices in school choirs and the Nelson Youth Choir.
After a stirring rendition of Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” by the Cathedral Choir, the entire group of singers joined to sing the moving Leonard Cohen song “Hallelujah”. Introduced by Juliet Ayres on violin and accompanied by Louis and Paul, Nigel Weekes led us through this final item which brought the audience to their feet. This concluded an astonishing programme of talent and glorious music set in Nelson’s outstanding, sacred venue, Christ Church Cathedral.
The concert was a special event to raise funds for the music of the Cathedral. All involved must be congratulated on a very successful and delightful musical experience.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Entering the Cathedral on Sunday evening to join the Evensong choir performing in the Candlelight Concert felt like being in an Aladdin’s cave.
At the rear of the church, fairy lights added another sparkling effect that promised the treasures to come.
This scene-setting was the brilliant idea and work of Jane and David Lucas. Extra lighting was set up by Mark and Sam Nicholls who did an excellent job. Together they spent hours creating the beautiful atmosphere in which we could appreciate the astonishing programme of choirs and individuals. They performed to an audience of 320 in the acoustically setting that the Cathedral offers.
We progressed through the flow of stunning performances, masterminded by the Cathedral Choral Director Nigel Weekes. We felt we were part of a “Nelson has Talent” show as the items were of such a high standard, beautifully executed and displaying a variety of musical genre.
The Concert opened with a haunting arrangement of fifteenth-century French melody “Veni, Veni, Emanuel” sung by the Cathedral Choir, conducted by Nigel Weekes and featuring Siobhan Gerritsen on cello, Louis Lucas-Perry on piano, and chorister Jody MacDonald singing the first verse. This was followed by the choir singing Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum” with soprano Rosemary Galton taking the solo section. Closing this bracket was a very moving rendition of “God so Loved the World” by John Stainer, sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Underpinning the entire programme was Cathedral organist, Paul Chan. His virtuoso solo performance of “Variations and Fugue on God Save the King” by Max Reger, and his sympathetic and competent accompanying of many of the performances, added so much to the success of the concert.
The talented violinist, Juliet Ayres, then took centre stage and with exquisite precision enhanced by the Cathedral acoustic, played the Adagio from Bach’s Sonata in G minor.
The Brass Quartet comprising Kay McKenzie, Mike Ford, Andrew Yorkstone and Ross Gerritsen appeared seated in front of the Communion rail. With amazing technical brilliance they performed an exciting work by Martin Ellerby, the brass instruments shining in the soft light of the candles.
Simone Tabilisi sang “Part of that World” by Alan Menken from the pulpit. She displayed an exceptional mastery of this Show Biz genre with her singing technique and ability to connect with her audience.
The Nelson Youth Choir was next on the programme and impressed the audience with four well chosen songs which included “Wairua o te Puna” and “Lullaby for Matariki”. Conducted by Rosemary Galton and accompanied by Maria Kolefff, the choir sang with expressive interpretation and well balanced sound. Lovely solo work added to the overall beauty of their presentation.
This was followed by the mellow sounds of the euphonium echoing poignantly throughout the Cathedral as the well-known melody “Bring in the Clowns” was masterfully presented by Ross Gerritsen.
The Cathedral Choir returned to sing the beautiful John Rutter anthem “For the Beauty of the Earth” and “A Song of Hope” by Mark Burrows accompanied by Paul Chan and conducted by Nigel Weekes. Louis Lucas-Perry joined us again to play, with great panache, the “Revolutionary Etude” op 10, No 12 by Chopin which proved to be a popular item with the appreciative audience.
A highlight of the concert was the performance of the Male Voice Choir. Always well prepared and energetic in their presentation they responded to Nigel Weeke’s precise direction and sang three songs with meaning and sensitivity. The favourite Welsh song “Gwadhoddiad” was followed by the Irish traditional song “Carrick Fergus”, and the spiritual “I’ll be there in Glory” composed by Mary McDonald concluded the bracket.
Then the lovely Vivaldi duet “Laudamus te” was sung beautifully by Nelson sopranos, Zoe Dee and Rosemary Galton, who have contributed so much to the training of young voices in school choirs and the Nelson Youth Choir.
After a stirring rendition of Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” by the Cathedral Choir, the entire group of singers joined to sing the moving Leonard Cohen song “Hallelujah”. Introduced by Juliet Ayres on violin and accompanied by Louis and Paul, Nigel Weekes led us through this final item which brought the audience to their feet. This concluded an astonishing programme of talent and glorious music set in Nelson’s outstanding, sacred venue, Christ Church Cathedral.
The concert was a special event to raise funds for the music of the Cathedral. All involved must be congratulated on a very successful and delightful musical experience.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
