Walton, Finzi and Bridge

22 November 2025

The autumn concert given by Salisbury Musical Society conducted by David Halls was the perfect antidote to a cold, damp evening. The programme of English music was full of celebration. The blazing opening of Gerald Finzi’s song of praise For St Cecilia began a timely tribute to the patron saint of music on her saint’s day. The Choir, augmented by the Farrant Singers, did full justice to the work about ‘a life of universal song’ with lyrical solos from the tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas. While Edmund Blunden’s words were suffused in the music the feelings in his verse were clear. The choral forces were not daunted by the orchestral power and produced a balanced and exuberant sound, as well as some softer modulations.

The Sea by Frank Bridge followed, an orchestral scenic depiction in four movements of the beauties and power of the sea. In particular the woodwind of the Chelsea Opera Group Orchestra provided shimmering textures in beautiful contrast to the strength of brass and percussion in the subsequent storm. It is a fine work and, judging by several people’s interval remarks, is not well known. It does not owe any obvious debt to Debussy’s La Mer written some five or so years earlier.

The final work of the concert Belshazzar’s Feast by William Walton is a rumbustious piece showing the gaudy life of Babylon before its fall and the subsequent praise to God for its destruction. Baritone Dan D’Souza superbly matched the power of the choral forces for a rousing performance. It is a demanding work for a choir perhaps because it is so constantly forte and fast in pace. There are some interesting contrasts in the brief passages for orchestra, maybe just time enough not only for one to be aware of Walton’s rhythmic skill but also time for the singers to breathe. All credit then to SMS and the Farrants for powering their way through to an upbeat ending with more heart-warming chords from the brass to warm us up for the cold homeward journey.

In the programme it was good to read the due tribute to the late John Clipson. His continued loyalty to SMS as a singer, committee member and programme editor is testament to the strengths of the Society and the allegiance of its members and supporters. He would, I hope, have been very approving of this concert’s excellent programme with its helpful and thorough information.

John Cox
Reviewer