Planet Hugill: The final concerts in this year’s Norfolk & Norwich Festival fell to the BBC Singers and the Britten Sinfonia
The Norfolk & Norwich Festival, a celebration of music and arts, came to a close with two enchanting concerts held at the city’s two cathedrals, featuring the BBC Singers and the Britten Sinfonia. The festival, which has been a staple of the city’s cultural scene since 1824, ended on a high note with these two engaging performances. The first concert, held at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, featured the BBC Singers, conducted by Sir James MacMillan, in a program that showcased their mastery of choral music. The concert was part of the BBC Singers’ centenary celebrations, and it was a joy to have James MacMillan back in Norwich after a long absence, leading the ensemble with his characteristic passion and expertise.
The program began with a beautiful and tender reading of Britten’s Hymn to the Virgin, an early work that demonstrated the composer’s mastery of word setting. The text, written by an anonymous poet in the 14th century, was sung in Middle English, with a Latin refrain provided by a semi-chorus. The BBC Singers sang with perfect timing and freshness, bringing the piece to life in the stunning Gothic surroundings of the cathedral. The concert also featured works by John Tavener, Judith Weir, and James MacMillan, each of which added a unique dimension to the program. MacMillan’s The Culham Motets and O Virgo Prudentissima were particularly noteworthy, showcasing the composer’s skill at crafting music that is both beautiful and profound. The final work on the program was Palestrina’s Missa Papae Marcelli, a masterpiece of Renaissance polyphony that was sung with elegance and precision by the BBC Singers.
The second concert, held at Norwich Cathedral, featured the Britten Sinfonia, directed from the violin by Clio Gould. The program began with a delicate and serene performance of Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, a work written to celebrate the composer’s wife’s birthday. The piece is a beautiful example of Wagner’s ability to craft music that is both intimate and powerful, and the Britten Sinfonia played it with sensitivity and nuance. The concert also featured Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto, played with dazzling technical skill by principal trumpet Imogen Whitehead. The work is a showcase for the soloist, and Whitehead rose to the challenge with a performance that was both spirited and elegant. Arvo Pärt’s Fratres, a somber and haunting work scored for wind octet, was also featured on the program. This piece is widely regarded as one of Pärt’s most celebrated works, and it was a pleasure to hear it performed live. The final work on the program was Beethoven’s Symphony No.1, a masterpiece of classical music that was played with energy and precision by the Britten Sinfonia.
The two concerts were a fitting close to the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, which has been a staple of the city’s cultural scene for nearly two centuries. The festival has a long history of showcasing the best of classical music, and these concerts were no exception. The BBC Singers and the Britten Sinfonia are both renowned ensembles, and they brought their characteristic expertise and passion to the performances. The programs were carefully curated to showcase a range of musical styles and periods, from the Renaissance polyphony of Palestrina to the classical symphonies of Beethoven. The concerts were a testament to the power of music to bring people together and to create a sense of community and shared experience.
The concerts were also a celebration of the city’s two cathedrals, which are both stunning examples of Gothic architecture. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, with its grand design and beautiful stained glass windows, provided a perfect setting for the BBC Singers’ performance. Norwich Cathedral, with its elegant architecture and stunning Great West Window, was equally impressive, and it provided a beautiful backdrop for the Britten Sinfonia’s concert. The two cathedrals are a testament to the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, and they are a source of pride for the local community.
In conclusion, the two concerts were a fitting close to the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, and they showcased the best of classical music in two of the city’s most beautiful venues. The BBC Singers and the Britten Sinfonia are both world-class ensembles, and they brought their characteristic expertise and passion to the performances. The programs were carefully curated to showcase a range of musical styles and periods, and the concerts were a testament to the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community and shared experience. The Norfolk & Norwich Festival is a celebration of music and arts that is not to be missed, and these concerts were a reminder of the importance of this festival to the city’s cultural scene.
