Our recent concert on the 13th June 2009 was reviewed by Roy Horabin in The Sunderland Echo under the headline of “Rarely a blemish”. It was noted that the opening piece, Grainger’s ‘Fantasy on Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess’ was played “in spectacular style by David Murray and Eileen Bown”. Next was Lambert’s masterpiece ‘The Rio Grande’ descriptive of a carnival day in a South American sea port. “David Murray directed a most interesting rendition” and the “chorus work never failed to capture the spirit of this joyous music”. “The accompaniment by pianists Eileen Bown and Jonathan Story, plus an enlarged percussion section, brought to life the score’s infectious dance rhythms”.
After the interval came ‘Carmina Burana’ produced by Carl Orff sung in Latin. “From the opening bars there was no lack of exuberance, while lyrical passages were sung with obvious affection”. “A well rehearsed contribution from the Bishopwearmouth Young Singers was much appreciated”.
“The choir maintained the highest of standards, faithfully observing dynamics and maintaining a good vocal balance throughout” “There was rarely a blemish”.
