Haydn’s Nelson Mass

22 June 2019

I count myself fortunate to have heard the excellent Salisbury Musical Society concert in the Cathedral on a warm and sunny June evening.

Opening with Vivaldi’s Gloria – a hymn of praise in 12 brief movements, ranging from pure joy to profound sadness. It’s a work where Chorus takes centre stage, and SMS compellingly opened with a raising ‘Gloria’, swiftly followed by a well balanced  ‘Et in terra pax hominibus’, which continued into soprano solos and solemn choral singing, with superb countermelodies by oboe, trumpet and ‘cello.  Salisbury Symphony Orchestra played sensitively without overbearing the choir as can happen in the Cathedral acoustic.  This made for a memorable first half.

However, the highlight came after the interval with Haydn’s mighty Nelson Mass.  The choir opened the ‘Kyrie’ with vigour and confidence followed by a spirited ‘Gloria’ joined by the four excellent young soloists, Margaret Ravalde (sop), Emma Lewis (Mezzo), Ruairi Bowen (Tenor) and Niall Anderson (Bass).  Ms Ravalde must be singled out for her pure clarity and ability to cope with wide leaps and devilish runs. The choir lost some momentum in the ‘Credo’ but came back with vitality in ‘Et resurrexit’; the ‘Sanctus’ with beautifully balanced contrast in phrasing; and a rousing ‘Dona Nobis’ to end this marvellous work.

Praise must go to Rosamund Bromley, Leader of Salisbury Symphony Orchestra and to John Challenger for conducting two such glorious works.

Di Verdon-Smith
Reviewer