Better is Peace than Always War - a positive reminder at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel
Pangbourne Choral Society Summer Concert: Better Peace than Always War
at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College
on Saturday, June 21
Review by PETER HAYWARD
This concert marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe. But it was different. The raw brutality of war was exposed, as was the delicate fragility of peace. The message that mankind’s greatest achievements have occurred in peacetime. So Better is Peace than Always War.
The concert opened with The Armed Man: a Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins. Hardly celebratory, rather a sombre reflection on the horrors of war with lyrics drawn from different cultures and religions The choir had to withstand a furious bombardment from formidable brass-wind and percussion sections (amplified by the exceptional acoustics of the Falkland Islands Chapel) and stand firm as they opened with L’Homme Armé, a tune that evolves into a blood-curdling call to arms.
They injected drama into a selection of grim texts but then relented into the beautiful but also dramatic melodies and lyrics of the more familiar texts (Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei), of the requiem mass.
The audience was clearly moved deeply, especially by the Hymn before Action and Charge in which soldiers are lured to their painful doom, cut short by an eerie silence followed by the Last Post, beautifully played by one of the three military trumpeters performing.
Having finally been exposed to the horrors of Hiroshima (Angry Flames) and Torches we moved to a calmer more reflective conclusion with the words God shall wipe away all tears, and there shall be no more death. Thought-provokingly topical!
The second half extended this reflection with the premiere of a work especially for this concert. Voice of a Generation drew lyrics from a poem by Lucy Hann, aged 14, from a local school and set to music by PCS member, Jacky White. The programme concedes that this music is not ‘easy listening’, with a text containing a young person’s plea for humanity to prevail over leaders weak and strong and hear the Generation who will ruthlessly fight for our Earth, instead of against it. And we will win…
Again, full marks to PCS for an impressive performance of a brand-new work (never easy).
Bob Chilcott’s Five days that changed the World added some relief from the dramatic tension, reflecting on history-defining moments such as the invention of printing, the abolition of slavery, the discovery of penicillin, first powered flight and first man in space – feats that could only be achieved in more peaceful times. Each movement projected a different mood and singing style – so more challenges for this by now battle-hardened Choral Group!
The conclusion was an arrangement by Sara Benbow herself entitled, appropriately enough Peace at last.
Any review of such a content-rich concert must start by appreciating its production values. The plaudits must go to music director Sara Benbow for designing the programme and enlisting the support of a talented soprano soloist (Robyn Pullen) plus brass, percussion, flute, cello and piano players who all threw themselves into such a titanic orchestral challenge for such a small but highly effective group.
And of course, the redoubtable PCS, who never flinched from the task of projecting such dramatic intensity, matched with technical accomplishment.
The final word must go to a member of the audience who said: “A very professional concert!! So, so enjoyable and moving.”
A celebration of peace, but also choral excellence.
