In the awe-inspiring setting of Keble College Chapel, the Oxford University Chorus joined forces with a full orchestra for a concert that was as ambitious as it was moving. The programme featured Lili Boulanger’s rarely performed Psalm 130 "Du Fond de L’Abîme alongside Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, both poignant works that offered a thoughtful and timely reflection on themes of loss, hope, and reconciliation. The concert felt particularly fitting since it was held near Remembrance Day.
The orchestra rose to the challenge of these emotionally charged works by delivering a rich and evocative performance. The brass section, especially in Jenkins' The Armed Man provided moments of thrilling fanfare, filling the chapel with warmth and grandeur. Equally. the bassoon added a touch of elegance and depth in quieter passages while a beautifully expressive cello solo brought an emotional centrepiece to Boulanger’s Psalm 130. The musicians' clear commitment to the repertoire shone through, with the orchestra providing a solid foundation for the evening’s music-making. The Boulanger provided an introspective opening to the evening with its lush harmonies and darkly expressive textures setting the tone for the concert. The orchestra navigated the complexities of the score with sensitivity, and the choir brought a solemnity to the performance that captured the work’s essence. While this piece is less frequently performed than Jenkins’ mass, its inclusion was a testament to the ambition and thoughtfulness of the programme.
The choir approached the performance with enthusiasm and dedication. The a cappella sections for basses and tenors were a particular highlight, showcasing their ability to blend beautifully and deliver moments of stillness and introspection. However, the balance between the orchestra and choir was a recurring challenge. The choir, though clearly well-prepared, often struggled to project above the orchestra, particularly in The Armed Man. This imbalance was unfortunate, as Jenkins’ work relies heavily on the text to convey its narrative. Even the talented soloist Olivia Earl, whose moments of projection and clarity were evident elsewhere, occasionally found herself overpowered by the orchestra’s volume.
Despite these challenges, the evening was marked by clear artistic intent, thanks in large part to the collaboration of the two conductors, who worked seamlessly to bring a unified vision to Jenkins’ The Armed Man. Their shared understanding of the work’s emotional and structural arc was evident, resulting in a cohesive and compelling interpretation. From the haunting simplicity of the Kyrie to the triumphal, redemptive strains of the final Benedictus, the conductors demonstrated a careful balance between the dramatic and the reflective elements of the piece. Their thoughtful leadership ensured that even with occasional balance issues, the performance retained its emotional impact and thematic coherence.
The diction of the choir was another area that presented some difficulties as the text was not always clear enough to carry to the back of the chapel. This, coupled with the size of the orchestra, meant that some of the most poignant moments of Jenkins’ work lost a degree of their immediacy. Nonetheless, the choir’s warmth and commitment to the music were always apparent, and their dedication was rewarded with moments of genuine beauty and connection.
In summary, this concert was an impressive undertaking, with moments of brilliance from both choir and orchestra. The challenges with balance and diction occasionally detracted from the full impact of the works, but they did not overshadow the clear artistic vision and the performers' evident passion for the music. The collaboration between the conductors was particularly commendable, bringing cohesion and depth to the Jenkins and making the concert a meaningful and memorable experience for all in attendance. With a few adjustments, this already moving performance could have been truly exceptional, but as it stood, it was a deeply affecting evening that showcased the dedication and ambition of everyone involved.
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