Zielenski & Pekiel
VOICES & INSTRUMENTS
Tutor: Graham O’Reilly
Location: Hope Chapel, Hoylake, Wirral
Reviewer: Chris Poyser
Zielenski & Pekiel – for all voices & instruments, 15 February 2020
Zielenski: motet Vox in Rama, motet Igneum ignati jubar, Magnificat Tre cori, Pekiel: Credo from Missa Concertata
I must confess I travelled to this new venue in Hoylake on a day which one would have thought better spent at home practising or curled up listening to favourite tracks in a cosy room. Despite all the worst Storm Dennis could throw at us our intrepid leader Graham and dedicated musicians set about what turned out for me a very enlightening and worthwhile experience (as I had never heard of either composer).
Our numbers were several fewer than had been expected but in a very random way we managed to organise and spread our resources in order to meet the demand for three choirs, eventually creating three tiny islands of singers linked by some very able instrumentalists. Under some very expert and encouraging guidance from Graham, a creditable and surprisingly rich rendition of Zielenski’s Igneum and Pekiel’s Credo La Lombardesca came forth and brightened up the day, parting the clouds and giving some much needed sunshine.
All in all a very rewarding day in a venue which was new to us. Although it was fairly basic it was spacious and thankfully warm and self-contained, certainly worthy of consideration for future events. Our grateful thanks to all those involved in organising this event and of course a very special thanks to Graham for his thorough and sympathetic direction and control of this workshop.
Chris Poyser
First published in April 2020 Newsletter
