Music / Fire Songs & Madrigals, The Song Company. At Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest, September 29. Reviewed by DANTE COSTA.  

Having celebrated its 40th anniversary with a successful tour in June, the Song Company returned to Canberra to conclude yet another successful tour.

There isn’t a great deal of repertoire that this ensemble doesn’t sing, presenting a varied program ranging from Monteverdi to works by contemporary Australian composers such as Sally Whitwell about the circus and trapeze. This concert was presented by sopranos Susannah Lawergren and Amy Moore, mezzo-soprano Christie Anderson, tenor Timothy Reynolds, baritone Hayden Barrington and bass James Fox.

Beginning with Part Needle, Part Thread by Carl Crossin the six musicians began with a delicate and light-hearted opening. The piece echoes the passing of time. Guest director, Anderson described it as a delicate “stitching and binding of the tapestry of our lives”. Much as the title suggests, the piece is somewhat of a tapestry itself, with the various and individual textures weaving together to produce a vibrant musical work.

In contrast, Morten Lauridsen’s aptly named Fire Songs saw the ensemble put on a very emotive performance. This work contains six short madrigals, of which the first three were performed at the beginning leaving the second half for later in the program. An interesting choice considering that each movement was quite brief and would have made more sense to perform them consecutively. However, each movement was performed magnificently and with strong emotional impact.

A particular highlight was during the madrigal titled Quando son più lontan (when I am furthest away), the line “cresce la fiamma” (the flame grows) is repeated each time increasing in dynamic intensity, until it reached an emotive climax that was masterfully executed by the group.

Monteverdi’s Ecco mormorar l’onde followed in a gentle yet almost fugal like fashion resembling a stream of running water. This is perhaps fitting given the fact that this piece evokes the peace that one feels when being emersed in the benevolence of nature.

After this were two short trio pieces by Anna Meredith and Sally Whitwell. Heal You by Anna Meredith was sweet and warm, with humming harmonies that gently melted into a still and peaceful silence that no one dared to disturb. Lightness of Being by Sally Whitwell was impressive as it was joyful, presenting the unbridled, child-like excitement of discovering something new.

Following a very brief intermission, select songs from Laude Cortonese by Gavin Bryars were performed in alternating duos and trios from the group. Based on 13th century religious texts these pieces felt more chilling than fiery, perhaps to set up a contrast for the remaining half of Lauridsen’s passionate Fire Songs, which were performed with great vigour and tenacity by the group.

In Monteverdi’s Vattene pur, crudel melodic lines were crafted delicately and flowed with ease, conveying moving interpretations of grief, sorrow and anger. A chromatic line that persisted and wove its way throughout the piece was emphasised by each voice that skilfully enhanced the emotive direction of the work.

Concluding with a more uplifting Afterword by Anne Cawrse, this concert demonstrated that choral music – whether it be composed three centuries or three years ago – can still have a profound emotional impact on the modern listener.