Last Friday's meeting was the first of 2008, when members met together to hear another of Nick Hockenhull's programmes of music. This time the theme was 'Soloists to the Fore!' The evening began with the massed bands of Fodens, Fairy Aviation and Morris Motors playing a piece by Harry Mortimer, 'Trombones to the Fore!', where the brave, confident sound of these instruments gave an introductory flourish to the programme. The piano as solo came next with the Prelude no. 1 in C major from J. S. Bach's Well Tempered Clavier, Book One and this had a recognisable link with the following item, the Bach/Gounod 'Ave Maria', sung by Bryn Terfel, an added bonus. Continuing with vocal solos, Nick introduced members to Kirsten Flagstad and told a little of the history of the famous Norwegian singer, including her late entry to operatic performance. After a charming Grieg folk dance, they heard two arias from Wagnerian operas sung by this remarkable singer. The final movement of Wm. Alwyn's Concerto for Oboe, Harp and Strings gave a taste of the oboe as a solo instrument in a recording played by Jonathan Small, with great sensitivity. One of the pieces Stanley Myers wrote as incidental music for film was a cavatina, originally written for piano and later adapted with words for the voice of Cleo Laine. The adaptation heard was for guitar and the voice of Bryn Terfel bringing tremendous feeling to these emotive words and the music. The next solo instrument was the organ with Gillian Weir playing Poulenc's Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings. This was a Proms recording in 1999 and had a rapturous reception. Nick Hockenhull's last item was Handel's Coronation Anthem, first played in 1727. Nick explained that here the real soloist was the monarch and the music was an accompaniment. The soaring voices of the choir brought the evening to the end of a most enjoyable and interesting programme which was enhanced by snippets of history and amusing anecdotes Nick introduced between each item. The chairman, John Bevan, thanked Nick very warmly for giving everyone such pleasure, as did the audience with enthusiastic applause. Tonight (Friday), the club will look back over the 60 years of its existence, during which time it has endeavoured to provide a flavour of each artistic discipline to everyone by way of illustrated talks and performances, as well as visits to the theatre and concert hall as often as possible. Non-members are welcome to join in this celebration.
