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Verdi’s Requiem is a dramatic romp incorporating explosions of sound often dying away suddenly to expose a spine-tingling quiet section. It’s enduring popularity can be partly explained by the ease with which an audience can appreciate it; many sections appear to be the inspiration for film scores, the work of John Williams and the dramatic music for the Lion King most prominent, alongside the opening of ‘Tuba Mirum’ which was used by Take That as the beginning of ‘Never Forget.’
Set in the Minster, the blasting, filmic sections took on even more grandeur with the sound rolling around the room and appearing to come from all directions at once. The echoing effect of the gigantic building meant that some of the clarity was lost, notes appeared to go on forever, but what was lost in clarity was more than made up for in majesty.
This excitement was obviously shared by the performers as they launched into a practically sprinting ‘Dies Irae’ (the most recognisable section of the piece), where the shrieking orchestra and thundering choir and percussion raced towards the slower build of ‘Tuba Mirum’. It was not until the end of the penultimate section that the piece was interrupted. A piercing alarm sounded in the cathedral, the music stopped and a very polite usher announced that there would have to be an evacuation.
The presence outside of what seemed to be every fire engine in York belied the fact that it was a false alarm, and after a confusing quarter of an hour outside most of the audience and performers returned, with a few stragglers sprinting the length of the Minster and hurriedly removing coats and setting up instruments to begin the final section.
Visiting soprano Viki Hart, outstanding throughout, coped admirably in what was beginning to feel like a blitz-spirited ‘let’s just carry on and see what happens’ attitude, delivered the opening of the ‘Libera me’ before warming to a triumphant ending.
Loved it, but had to agree with the building size's effect on the clarity having used the false alarm to steal a free seat at the front from the back.
This was a great concert.
By the way, that very polite usher was the Dean of York.
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