Welcome to your local community website...
Beaconsfield Concerts, Cantabile - The London Quartet
by Frances Chidell
This experienced and well-travelled male quartet consists of Michael Steffan, baritone; Mark Fleming, tenor; Steven Brooks, tenor and Richard Bryan, counter-tenor. During the evening it was clear that Steven Brooks could also sing falsetto and Richard Bryan tenor.
The group engendered a friendly feeling in the hall, and Richard Brooks congratulated the audience, telling us that such groups of music lovers are becoming scarce.
The programme's emphasis was on music of the 17th century but included one Beatles number and an amusing rendering of 'The Lambeth Walk' 'backwards.
In each piece of whatever type, their voices harmonised perfectly; their crescendos and diminuendos and final chords fashioned like a well-oiled machine.
The opening songs of century courtly love by Thomas Weelkes were succeeded by Queen Elizabeth 1's favourite composer, William Byrd.. This was from The Mass for Four Voices and was described as 'one of the masterpieces of the Reformation'.
Most of us think 'Bist Du bei Mir' is by Bach. It was good to hear it again, even if it was written by Stolzer! Canons by Mozart were followed by 'Av Verum Corpus' and then a 16th century dance.
A 19th century opera section was sung both in French and Italian. In one piece the words consisted of Italian music instructions while 'Suzette' consisted of French phrases in common English use.
For the more serious, classical section the group were elegant in morning dress. After the interval they wore white tuxedos. National songs from Wales (solo by Michael Steffan) and Scotland followed. Why not more national songs and some from foreign lands? Cantabile may visit again when some of us would like to hear their excellent technique interpreting modern composers.
We'd like to hear from you. Send your stories, pics and videos
Leave a comment