Saturday 6th July 2024
‘We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.’
It was these words, written by Arthur O’Shaughnessy, that inspired Edward Elgar to write his Oratorio ‘The Music Makers’ -a fine, but little-known work first performed at the Birmingham Festival of 1912.
Such words would, I’m sure, have also been special to a friend of many of us here in Rugby – Dr. Rex Pogson. Rex sadly died in March this year following a serious road accident in December 2023. His passion for music and the arts was just one part of the rich legacy that he has left – not least to the members of the Rugby Philharmonic Choir, of which he was a loyal member for many years. His rich tenor voice was always a joy to listen to.
The concert that the Rugby Philharmonic Choir and Sinfonia performed in the Temple Speech Room on the 6th July was dedicated to Rex’s memory. A fine concise tribute to Rex’s life, written by his friend and fellow musician Rev Peter Privett, was printed in the programme. One phrase stood out to me: ‘Rex was an inspiration to many and always tried to see the best in others.’ Bless him.
The Rugby Philharmonic Choir ‘Goes to the Movies’ was the title of this concert. The choir and orchestra, under the gifted baton of its conductor Laurence Panter, offered ‘something for all tastes, united by consistent quality, skilful arrangement and great entertainment value.’ The programme ranged from evocative songs such as John Barry’s ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and the choral setting of Samuel Barber’s ‘Agnus Dei’ through to the Red Dwarf theme by Howard Goodall and ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ from The Life of Brian, with which the concert concluded.
This was certainly a move away from the more classical programme that the Rugby ‘Phil’ is renowned for, however it is to the credit of all those involved to have offered the audience a different, lighthearted colourful experience. It was particularly encouraging to notice that some of the younger members of the choir brought their children and other members of their families to listen!
In addition to the contribution of the choir itself the programme was much enhanced by the gifted playing of the Sinfonia, and by the songs sung by the guest soloist Mezzo Soprano Charly Brown. This young lady, a fourth-year student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, has a quality and strength of voice that drew loud applause from the audience. What a stunning voice.
It was also a joy to hear throughout the concert the gifted playing (on both the piano and organ) of Dr Richard Dunster-Sigtermans, the previous conductor of the ‘Phil’. And indeed, the talent of our very own Laurence Panter, in his piano duet with Richard, and his solo performance on the ‘keys’ with the beautiful number by Joe Hisaishi – The Merry-Go-Round of life.
All present, will wish Richard and his wife well as they move shortly to their new home and life in Harrogate.
Following the summer recess the ‘Phil’ will be looking forward to preparing for their Christmas Concert in the Temple Speech Room on Sunday 8th December. This will feature traditional carols for both the choir and audience to enjoy – but also Bach’s beautiful ‘Christmas Oratorio’.
May the Rugby Philharmonic Choir and Sinfonia go from strength to strength – and may Laurence and the choir have the courage to explore and share with our community good music of different genres for many years to come. May they, and all of us, be the ‘music makers’ of the future – and be the dreamers of dreams.’ Our friend Rex Pogson would, I’m sure, be the first person to say ‘Amen’ to that!
Peter Beresford
What a joy it was to hear Handel’s Messiah performed here in Rugby! The Rugby Philharmonic Choir, under it’s gifted conductor Lawrence Panter, performed it in the Temple Speech Room on 16th December 2023. Congratulations to the Choir who worked hard in the preparation of this work, and who performed it with their characteristic vigour and skill.
Each of the four soloists (Phillippa Hyde, Gaynor Keeble, James Beddoe and Samuel Lom) were superb – as was the playing of the Rugby Philharmonic Sinfonia.
The Rugby Philharmonic Choir’s Summer Concert on the 8th July was a joy to attend!
In the first half of the concert the audience was treated to a range of well-loved songs by Paul Simon and the Beatles. While clearly a delight for those ‘of a certain age’ – both on the stage and in the audience – this sequence also offered a journey of musical discovery for those who were younger.
‘Come sing the songs of Africa!’: the second half of the concert, under the skilful eye and ear of the choir’s conductor Dr Richard Dunster-Sigtermans, erupted with the performance of ‘Zimbe!’, This work, composed by Alexander L’Estrange in 2008, featured a range of songs from different parts of south and west Africa. Each one evoked raw, truly African expressions of life ranging from songs of joy and of sorrow to those of protest. The choir valiantly performed this work in its different African languages! They were ably supported by the gifted performers of the Rugby Philharmonic’s Jazz Quintet.
The stars of the show were, however, the children of the ‘Dunchurch Boughton Junior School Music Ambassadors,’ under the direction of their gifted music teacher Louise Fairbrother. She described ‘Zimbe!’ as an ‘exuberant, vibrant piece that epitomises just how powerful and transcending music can be.’ Most of these children sang the songs of ‘Zimbe!’ by heart. They did so with amazing energy, and clearly loved doing so – as did the adult performers who were standing behind them.
For the performers and audience alike this occasion was one that will be remembered for a long time to come. The awesome setting of Rugby School’s Temple Speech Room was the perfect setting for it.
The level of applause at the end of the concert said it all. Congratulations and thanks to all who took part in it!’
What a performance! The performance of Haydn’s much-loved Oratorio ‘Creation’ in the Temple Speech Room on the 2nd April was masterful – a worthy successor to previous performances there, including those under the baton of my late father, Marcus Beresford.
The Rugby Philharmonic Choir and Sinfonia, under its gifted conductor Dr Richard Dunster-Sigtermans, gave a performance that was full of vibrancy and colour – a joy to listen to.
Following the portrayal of the disorder and chaos that preceded the great act of creation the three soloists (Philippa Hyde, Laurence Panter and Mike Dewis) skilfully portrayed the first four ‘days’ of creation. This was followed by their portrayal of the appearance of birds, fish, beasts and insects – not forgetting ‘…in long dimension creeps with sinuous traces the worm!’
Then, finally, came humankind – the ‘crown’ of God’s creation. The work concluded with Adam and Eve being portrayed in their first innocent hours of life in God’s newly created world. Each ‘day’ concluded with a rousing chorus – including the Creation’s best known one: ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God, The firmament displays the wonder of his works.’
Alongside all the other music that Joseph Haydn wrote the Creation remains his masterpiece. After one and a half years working on the score the Creation was first performed in 1799. It was at a performance of this work that Haydn made his final appearance. At its close, following rapturous applause, Haydn is reputed to have said: ‘It is not from me: everything comes from ‘up there’!’
In our day, when the literal description of the creation as recorded in Genesis chapter one is widely questioned, there is a refreshing innocence about the text that Haydn chose to set to music. To have a sense of re-kindled wonder and thankfulness is something from which all of us can learn – so to Joseph Haydn, and to each of the performers at this concert … THANK YOU!
