The University of Oregan Chamber Choir Winners of Fleischmann Trophy
With festivals re branded under the catchy new title of Gathering, Cork Choral Festival continues to do that better than most. Founded in 1954 as part of An Tostal, a government initiative to boost Ireland's failing economy, Cork International Choral Festival is the longest running Irish festival in its' original form, Chairman John Fitzpatrick reminded us at the closing gala. Over the weekend, song seeps out of the formal concert venues to permeate spaces all over the city. Here is my selection of Sunday's highlights.
Afternoon in the Atrium The afternoon slipped away pleasantly at the Clarion where MC Colin Nicholls kept procedings moving along in cheerful fashion. With ground floor table seats in demand, patrons ascended to the balconies to hear the ten choirs which included several barbershop quartets . Our favourite was Polyfonica, a choir from Belarus which had a fiddle player and included Kalinka in the set of folk songs.
An Unclouded Day. The University of Oregan Chamber Choir came to the platform at the closing gala concerts anointed as best in festival 2013. Would they have that special something that set them apart. They did. It was elegant simplicity. Choosing two pieces in a spiritual vein, one traditional and a modern number, (The Road Home by Stephen Paulus), in contrast to most of the other choirs, they simply sang . No busyness. No actions. No clever vocal clucking noises. Just seamless unadulterated vocal harmony. Dressed in sober grey suits and dresses, the mixed voice chamber choir under director Dr. Sharon Paul, created a serene and heavenly sound that made me long for an encore. Of the novelty pieces, the French choir, Alter Echo, did make me chuckle with their stylish dynamic performance of The Ferret. Delightful also was the clarity of diction from of the English ensemble Coro. Ceoltoirí Muscraí under director Martin Power presented an attractive and varied show case of Irish song and dance.
Organ Postlude at St Finbarres . We did a bit of singing ourselves as the choir had a rare evening off evening duties after the Sacred Music competition. We specially enjoyed Malcolm Wisener's playing of a postlude by French composer Pierné on the organ at St Finbarre's Cathedral at the close of Evening Prayer Service for Rogation Sunday.
Festival Club What did the choristers do at the wrap party. Carry on singing of course -and dancing. At the Clarion, the more energetic made their way to céilí room where visitors seemed to have no trouble picking up the steps of Falla Liminí. In the lounge, Jack O Rourke, piano player extrordinaire from Oregan anchored the sing song around the piano, backing all comers and filling in during lulls although in my opinion the French delegation proved to have all the best chansons.
Best Buskers It is quite a while since I've seen a melodica. The last one was worn by Sr Pius when I was in 2nd class. New kids on the block The Sub-terraneans include it in their arsenal snapped here on their first outdoor busking session on a lethargic Monday after all the singers had departed.
Related Posts Unholy Haikus, Great Glee and Brilliant Buskers A report from 2012 Festival
Examiner Review of Festival here
With festivals re branded under the catchy new title of Gathering, Cork Choral Festival continues to do that better than most. Founded in 1954 as part of An Tostal, a government initiative to boost Ireland's failing economy, Cork International Choral Festival is the longest running Irish festival in its' original form, Chairman John Fitzpatrick reminded us at the closing gala. Over the weekend, song seeps out of the formal concert venues to permeate spaces all over the city. Here is my selection of Sunday's highlights.Afternoon in the Atrium The afternoon slipped away pleasantly at the Clarion where MC Colin Nicholls kept procedings moving along in cheerful fashion. With ground floor table seats in demand, patrons ascended to the balconies to hear the ten choirs which included several barbershop quartets . Our favourite was Polyfonica, a choir from Belarus which had a fiddle player and included Kalinka in the set of folk songs.
An Unclouded Day. The University of Oregan Chamber Choir came to the platform at the closing gala concerts anointed as best in festival 2013. Would they have that special something that set them apart. They did. It was elegant simplicity. Choosing two pieces in a spiritual vein, one traditional and a modern number, (The Road Home by Stephen Paulus), in contrast to most of the other choirs, they simply sang . No busyness. No actions. No clever vocal clucking noises. Just seamless unadulterated vocal harmony. Dressed in sober grey suits and dresses, the mixed voice chamber choir under director Dr. Sharon Paul, created a serene and heavenly sound that made me long for an encore. Of the novelty pieces, the French choir, Alter Echo, did make me chuckle with their stylish dynamic performance of The Ferret. Delightful also was the clarity of diction from of the English ensemble Coro. Ceoltoirí Muscraí under director Martin Power presented an attractive and varied show case of Irish song and dance.
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| Malcolm Wisener |
Organ Postlude at St Finbarres . We did a bit of singing ourselves as the choir had a rare evening off evening duties after the Sacred Music competition. We specially enjoyed Malcolm Wisener's playing of a postlude by French composer Pierné on the organ at St Finbarre's Cathedral at the close of Evening Prayer Service for Rogation Sunday.
Festival Club What did the choristers do at the wrap party. Carry on singing of course -and dancing. At the Clarion, the more energetic made their way to céilí room where visitors seemed to have no trouble picking up the steps of Falla Liminí. In the lounge, Jack O Rourke, piano player extrordinaire from Oregan anchored the sing song around the piano, backing all comers and filling in during lulls although in my opinion the French delegation proved to have all the best chansons.
 |
| The Sub-terraneans |
Best Buskers It is quite a while since I've seen a melodica. The last one was worn by Sr Pius when I was in 2nd class. New kids on the block The Sub-terraneans include it in their arsenal snapped here on their first outdoor busking session on a lethargic Monday after all the singers had departed.
Related Posts Unholy Haikus, Great Glee and Brilliant Buskers A report from 2012 Festival
Examiner Review of Festival here
The Title of the post is taken from the title of a number performed by the University of Oregan Chamber Choir
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