Memorable Messiah given in York Minster
THE YORK MUSICAL SOCIETY gave a memorable performance last night, in the presence of its president, the Archbishop of York (Dr Ramsey) of Handel’s Messiah.
Dr. Francis Jackson conducted. The forces at his command comprised the chorus of the York Musical Society, the York Symphony Orchestra (leader Geoffrey Stevens), Ronald Pervin (organ) and four distinguished principals, Iris Bourne (soprano), Janet Baker (contralto), Cyril Hornby (tenor), and Hervey Alan (bass).
“CLASSICAL” LINES
Dr. Jackson chose what may be called the mid-20th century traditional style of performance. Limiting himself severely to Handel’s original orchestration, that is, without 19th century accretions of flutes, clarinets, horns and trombones, he was able to show his audience something of the original sonorities of Handel’s time. In this he was helped by the organ, revoiced since last year on “classical” lines, which suit the music of Handel’s period.
The soloists also displayed a tendency towards the classical interpretation, which showed itself in small but significant modifications of the printed text in the 18th century manner by Mr. Hornby, and a complete absence of over-expressiveness and sentimentality on the part of them all.
At the same time, we were not treated to the more radical forms of baroque, and look forward one day to a performance, with Dr. Jackson directing from a harpsichord, that will include the cadenzas which it is known the principals were wont ‘to indulge in at performances in Handel’s day.
The Orchestra, a mainly amateur body; is to be congratulated on its tidy rhythms and mainly true intonation. The staccato chords and the trill at the end of Glory To God In The Highest, notoriously difficult to bring off, were splendidly realised by the strings.
Cyril Hornby had obviously thought himself into the part Handel gives the tenor and realised all the beauties of the softer numbers, though he was a little less happy in Thou Shalt Break Them. Hervey Alan’s arias were dramatically sung, and he was fortunate in having as trumpet obbligato William Lang, who, in The Trumpet Shall Sound, played with perfect understanding.
Janet Baker’s superb interpretation of Messiah is becoming well known in the North, and she was in perfect voice. Iris Bourne gave I Know That My Redeemer Liveth the straight forward treatment it needs, only sometimes singing a little sharp.
ACOUSTIC PROBLEMS
The chorus was placed one bay nearer the audience than during the Festival, but even so there were moments when the sopranos seemed unhappy in their leads and rather light-toned on some top notes.
The problem of seating chorus and orchestra in the Minster is notoriously difficult, but there is little doubt that without a reflecting surface behind them, the voices of all but the front rows of the chorus tend to get lost in the central tower and transepts.
It was good to see a large
audience assembled to pay tribute to and draw inspiration from this unique portion
of the English heritage of music.—F.W.
Yorkshire Gazette and Herald , 23rd December, 1960
MUSIC IN YORK
SOCIETY’S STIRRING ‘MESSIAH’
YORK Musical Society and York Symphony Orchestra gave a stirring performance of Handel’s Messiah in York Minster on Tuesday night. It was conducted by Dr. Francis Jackson.
The first part of the programme built gradually up to a climax at For Unto Us,
which itself starts softly. Then the full orchestra, together with the organ,
comes in for the first time. The chorus overcame difficulties in His Yoke is
Easy, but the tenors tended to strain their voices to make up for their small
numbers.
There was .some intelligent singing in the Hallelujah Chorus, whiIe Worthy is
the Lamb That Was Slain was put over with apparent ease. The solo quartet—Iris
Bourne, soprano; Janet Baker, contralto; Cyril Hornby, tenor; Hervey Alan, bass—gave
an almost flawless performance.
WELL-TIMED
Ronald Perrin, at the Minster organ, played admirably, as did the orchestra. The chorus did not fall into the trap of over-exaggeration which is all too frequent in this work, and their attacks were well timed. There was strong- singing in the later choruses, and this gave the whole performance a magnificent finale.
It was a pity that the Minster was so cold for such a warm performance, though
many had come prepared with heavy blankets. The principals were well wrapped
up, as were some members of the chorus.
The Archbishop of York (Dr. Michael Ramsey) president of the Musical Society,
and Mrs.Ramsey were among those present.—F.G.W.