Masterful ‘Dark and Luminous’ music, more please

Oriana Chorale and Phoenix Collective. Photo: Peter Hislop.

Music / “Dark and Luminous Night”, Oriana Chorale with Phoenix Collective Quartet. At Larry Sitsky Recital Room, ANU, July 15. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

TRAVERSING the range of the human experience in song, this concert of new and old music by the Oriana Chorale with Phoenix Collective Quartet created a special sound combination.

Directed by singer and composer Dan Walker, the concert began with “Waiting for the Night”, by Depeche Mode, arranged by the director. The fascinating lineup of a string quartet, Jem Harding playing piano, and the choir created a distinctive and fresh sound quality. The moody music of Depeche Mode, with this combination of musical voices and the effective arrangement made for something seldom heard anywhere. Most captivating.

The pulsating “Dark Night of the Soul”, by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo is an effective piece of music. It drives its tune with a consistent pulse. The choir sung through this composition to create an almost ambient atmosphere like a synthesiser would. It quickly shifted to a nostalgic feeling with moods on the piano falling and then flowing as the choir and quartet filled in the harmony. It created a rich wall of sound. The combination of voices and music was simply gorgeous, as was the performance from all.

Dan Walker conducting. Photo: Peter Hislop

“Starálfur”, by the Icelandic rock band Sigur Rós arr. Dan Walker followed. Then, “Look Up, The Sky is Glowing”, music and lyrics by Ella Macens, who was in the audience. This sad, delicate work, was filled with effective and beautiful writing that blended all voices nicely. The string writing almost wept with emotion. The soft reflections from the choir blended well.

Such clear tonal works that push the emotions are a testament to the quality of contemporary Australian music. Macens moved to the stage and took a bow.

Then “Waltz after Lasse in Lyby”, Traditional arr. Danish String Quartet, performed by Dan Russell and Pip Thompson, violin, Ella Brinch, viola, Andy Wilson, cello, who are the Phoenix Collective Quartet. In this traditional folk tune, which comes from a cold country, you can feel the shimmering coolness through its simple tune. It’s the sort of piece that stops people in their tracks. Delightful, playful and life-affirming, the music was performed with immense empathy.

“Hail Gladdening Light” from “Vespers”, by Sergei Rachmaninov, which followed is a work of great depth and many parts. Solos, complex counterpoint and flowing tunes and all balanced exactly right by Oriana who were sounding so good.

Jem Harding on piano. Photo: Peter Hislop

Then, “Luminous Night of the Soul” by Gjeilo. From a solo cello opening, it then took on the sound of a Christmas carol through the choir, then a piano solo; it could have been movie music. But when the choir came in again, it took on extra depth. Sounding like an affirmation, it built in scope and dynamic, then tempo, ending on a strong note.

Again, for just choir, “Lux Aeterna” (after Nimrod Variations), by Edward Elgar, arr. John Cameron. This is an appealing and profound work that the choir made sound like the original.

Finishing with another Depeche Mode arrangement by Dan Walker, “I Feel Loved”. The tender composition expressed the journey from darkness to the light of love. The arrangement would have made Depeche Mode proud.

The programming, arrangements and splendid sound quality of this combination of voices calls for more concerts in this vein, and soon please.