3 LAY CLERKS IN CONCERT |
St. Woolos Cathedral, 16th April 2011 |
presented by The Friends of Newport Cathedral Choir |
The final powerful chords of Widor’s Toccata were still echoing around the cathedral nave (and its scaffolding!) when the audience broke into loud and sustained applause, culminating in a standing ovation. So ended a memorable concert performed by three Cathedral Choir Lay Clerks, Andrew Hayman (tenor and organ), James Lawrence (baritone) and James Taylor (piano). |
Between them they have served the choir for over 25 years and in return have had many musical opportunities and experiences. More than 200 people (about twice as many as expected!) attended the concert, which raised over £1,600 towards the purchase of the beautiful grand piano which is presently on loan to the cathedral. |
The concert programme was very varied, with items to suit different musical tastes, and, throughout this diversity, a high standard was maintained. Familiar pieces such as Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C# minor, played by James Taylor, sat alongside little known works such as the delightful organ piece, Humoresque by Pietro Yon, played by Andrew Hayman. Classical pieces of music, including a Donizetti aria, sung by Andrew, were interspersed with well-known popular songs, such as Stars from Les Miserables and If I ruled the World, sung by James Lawrence. All the vocal pieces were accompanied by James Taylor on the piano, who displayed great versatility with quick changes from one style to another. |
David Owen, one of the ‘gentlemen’ of the choir, introduced each item, giving background information on the composers and setting each piece in context. The three performers came together at the end of the concert with an entertaining rendering of the popular song Impossible Dream. |
This was a wonderful evening, the result of much hard work by many people - from those who organised the publicity to the army of choir Friends who provided refreshments. It gave us an opportunity to enjoy the very considerable talents of three of the cathedral’s Lay Clerks, and raised a magnificent sum towards future musical enjoyment in St Woolos. |
Lorraine Amos |
Click on caption for larger picture |
