Far Out! Godwits, Guitars and Songsters
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The Renaissance Singers under Music Director, Christine Archer-Lockwood, together with classical guitarist, Matthew Marshall, perform pieces never before heard by Zealand audiences. Anthony Ritchie was commissioned by the Renaissance Singers to put a poem by Anne French to music. The piece has a pair of godwits as central characters flying from Alaska to Foxton before spending time at the Manawatu River mouth. Anne French was in the Renaissance Singers while writer-in-residence at Massey University several years ago. Her familiarity with choral singing is very evident in her phrasing and in the structuring of the poem. Ritchie divided the piece into three capturing the drama involved in the flight south together with the story of the Manawatu River before seeing the birds depart north once more. The choir is very impressed with the piece and believe the audience will be, too. The ending is very dramatic. Additional accompaniment is provided by two violinists, a bass player, and an ensemble of young guitarists tutored by Jeanette McGrath.
Throughout the whole concert the choir is accompanied by Matthew Marshall on classical guitar. Two major pieces have a Spanish dance-like, gypsy-like, folk-like flavour. They are:
Three Mexican Folk Songs by David Conte - these songs engage the violinists and bass as well as guitar. Conte has produced choral music that utilises very familiar Mexican rhythmic and melodic structures that will readily resonate with listeners.
Romancero Gitaro by Mario Castelnuova-Tedesco - a set of very famous gypsy ballads written by Federico Garcia Lorca and very familiar to those in Spain. The seven pieces the choir sings accompanied by Matthew Marshall range from the almost flamenco style to an emotionally laden procession. The seven songs are full of the colour and flavour of gypsy life.
The choir will be hoping the audience notices that it has been working hard on its Spanish pronunciation!
In addition with guitar accompaniment are:
A Procession Winding Around Me - four civil war poems by Walt Whitman put to music by American guitarist and composer, Jeffrey Van. They are haunting and dramatic.
Tre liriche - a very popular set of three typically personal James Joyce poems put to music by Italian, Roberto Di Marino. These are very lyrical - often audience favourites.
For a magical experience of classical guitar with in-choir soloists and well rehearsed choral singing and instrumental accompaniment, the place to be is at the Pathways Presbyterian Church at 3.00 pm Saturday, 18 May. Door sales or from choir members.
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