28 November 2009
This evening the 110-strong Joint Choral Society of St Helen’s and Abingdon Schools performed the electrifying and thrilling work by David Fanshawe, African Sanctus. The choral work is an unorthodox setting of the Latin Mass which is integrated with authentic tranditional African music recorded by the composer on his legendary sojourns up the river Nile through Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya (1969-73). The Sanctus Journey, from the Mediterranean to Lake Victoria and from the mountains of West Sudan to the Red Sea, became the framework of the piece – a symbolic cross-shaped pilgrimage. Armed with one rucksack and a tape recorder, Fanshawe succeeded in recording music from well over fifty tribes, achieving such a close rapport with many local communities that they gave permission for their performances to be specially recorded for posterity.
The performance was extremely exciting: the massed choir made an impressive sound and was accompanied by a full range of percussion, performed entirely by three of our most experienced percussionists, Veeral Manek, Alistair Duff and Rory Marsh. All three were dealing with complex time signatures changes within movements as well as swift switching between instruments, and Veeral, providing the rather crucial driving bass line on timpani, coped superbly with the tuning changes he had to make to the drums (often he had no more than three seconds to retune before playing again)! In addition, Tom Earl and Mike Summers, on electric guitar and bass guitar respectively, played with energy and musicality in the Hendrix-inspired ‘Crucifixus’ and the more reflective ‘Lord’s Prayer’ ballad. The African Drum Circle also added to the fun, accompanying the central movements with another layer of rhythms. The main solo role was taken by Christina Shand, a graduate of Trinity College of Music. Her incredibly clear tone and stunning top notes sounded effortless, and we were very lucky to have the chance to perform with her. Special mention must also go to Rosie Miller, a Lower Sixth Former at St Helen’s, for singing The Lord’s Prayer solo so beautifully and confidently. Thanks also must go to Jack Tinker who was responsible for cuing the African tape and ensuring the levels were just right. He responded particularly well to Miss Matthews’ sudden instructions during the performance via her radio mic for ‘more sound… no, now less… just a bit more bass’!
An impressive and thrilling performance that was certainly enjoyed by audience and performers alike.
Miss Matthews
