Fire and Water
VOICES
Tutor: Martin Westhorp
Location: St Bartholomew’s Church, Westhoughton
Reviewer: Mark Flinn
Martin Westhorp led a successful workshop with the theme Fire and Water in the friendly surroundings of St Bartholomew’s Church in Westhoughton on 8 February, attended by 28 enthusiastic singers.
We started with Palestrina’s beautiful Sicut Cervus and Sitivit Anima Mea followed by Morley’s madrigal Fyer, Fyer!, and finishing off the morning with Clemens non Papa’s serene 7-part Ego Flos Campi, which we did with a little promenade around the church. Great fun.
After lunch we took Hesdin’s Alleluia Spiritus Domini. That piece and the composer were unknown to nearly all, but it made its mark, and two people took the idea away to recommend to their respective choirs. Next up was Weelkes’ magnificent geographical epic Thule, The Period of Cosmography with The Andalusian Merchant following close behind. Thomas Weelkes clearly enjoyed the topic with lots of vocal effects and a “warm” message of love attached. Dowland’s short Flow Not So Fast Ye Fountains didn’t take long as we headed for afternoon tea, followed by a quick rendition of Gesualdo’s Astiterunt Reges.
We finished the day with a sing through the Hesdin, followed by another Clemens parade and a final flame out to Fyer Fyer. As ever with Martin, a good time was had by all, and we hope to return before too long.
Mark Flinn
First published in April 2014 Newsletter
