Astonishing!

With the Chancellor of the Exchequer announcing that the UK had a 178 billion pound deficit this week, it seems most appropriate that Arnold School should choose this time to perform Haydn's Missa in Angustiis or 'Mass for troubled times'. For a couple of hours, those lucky enough to have tickets put any problems behind them, and appreciated the splendour of the Austrian composer's solemn choral piece, performed by superb soloists, a choir of parents, friends, staff and pupils and a thrilling orchestra filling the Memorial Hall with their impressive instrumentation. It is a tribute to the incredible popularity of Lord Nelson that his name became attached to the piece purely, it is thought, on the basis of his having attended a performance of the piece two years after its composition.

However, the Mass was a treat for the second half of the concert, which was opened with a rousing chorus of 'Zadok the Priest' , Handel's coronation anthem for George II. The opening bars lifted the rafters and the piece was well received - an excellent voice warm-up for the singers.

The next composer in our eighteenth century Teutonic trio was Mozart with his Clarinet Concerto KV.622 - a piece in three tricky movements which lasted a good half hour. Yet despite its length and without recourse to the notes, Alex Card of Year 11 played the clarinet solo with great aplomb with some lovely lower registers. A most complex and demanding piece, KV.622 is considered one of the best concertos for the instrument and Alex certainly did it full justice. The prolonged and warm applause from all sections of the packed hall at the end was fully deserved for such a bravura performance.

The choir had to wait for their piece de resistance until after the refreshment break. This choral work, as its name suggests, is broken up into six parts, reflecting the order of the Latin mass. There are various layers of emotion ranging from deep gloomy despair to glorious exultation. Mr Ross has worked long and hard to get the choir to appreciate these nuances but, on the evening with the addition of the orchestra's wonderful accompaniment, the full texture was brought out. The choir's excellent efforts were enhanced by the beautiful singing of bass, Nicolas Perfect; tenor Rupert Charlesworth and soprano, Phillippa Hyde, all of whom were stunning and it was a privilege and education to hear them. But there are four soloists, of course, and in the company of the professionals, was our own Lauren Au of Year 12 singing the mezzo-soprano role. Understandably nervous about performing with the professional soloists beforehand, it certainly did not show, and Lauren more than held her own with the other singers. Truly a remarkable achievement.

Both Lauren and Alex had both parents singing or playing this evening, and they were not alone in supporting their children by joining in. In his closing address, the Headmaster referred to the concerts' being a 'family affair', and this was true both literally and metaphorically. The most impressive aspect of the evening is the coming together of the 'Arnold family' - parents and grandparents, current and former staff, friends and students all participating to make another memorable evening of serious and demanding music.

The soloists duly received well deserved gifts, but they were not alone, for two other people were presented with tokens of the choir's appreciation: Mrs Gill Townsend, our indefatigable répétiteur who had worked so hard in the hours of rehearsal, and, naturally, the conductor and organiser of the whole event, Mr Julian Ross. Julian's vision, energy and talent was brilliantly showcased here, and certainly showed us that Arnold's loss will be Kent College's gain. All who watched or took part were privileged to take part in a first-rate event, which it is to be hoped will continue in the future.

Posted by: D E Smyth
Date: Saturday 27/03/2010