THE MADRIGALS, ETC. - Choral and Instrumental Music Ensemble

 Music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance eras

     The Madrigals, Etc., is a choral and instrumental music ensemble from Bangalore which performs music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance eras.

     The ensemble that performed in Hyderabad consisted of 11 members: Berenice da Gama Rose – Soprano, Usha Aron – Mezzo Soprano, Jerusha Lawrence – Alto, Charan Raj – Tenor, Nevin Thomas – Bass and five Swedish Soloists, Lena Moen – Soprano, Maria Forsström – mezzo soprano/alto, Jonas Olsson – tenor, Torbjörn Tällberg Marthins – bass, Jan H Borjession – Bass + Keyboard soloist/accompanist and Neecia Majolly – Soprano + Director of Madrigals, Etc.

     The voices of the eleven member ensemble filled the whole church with beautiful harmonies and a fabulous, rich sound - a tribute both to the quality and the blend of voices of these gifted musicians.

     Enough cannot be said in praise of this ensemble. They were well trained, well directed and well organised. They were true in pitch in ‘acappella music’, and they blended well and were impressively accurate in difficult passages. This was no ordinary ensemble, there was a wonderfully professional quality to their sound; their harmonies were clear and distinct, their intonation was excellent. The overall sound was rich, with close harmonies and excellent dynamic control, and on top of all that, their rhythms were precise and the tonal quality was pure and balanced.

     What was so flabbergasting was that they achieved this complete mastery of music and word, throughout the evening, without a conductor. Neecia Majolly, the director of Madrigals, Etc., unobtrusively from her place amongst the sopranos, led and set the timing and the pitch for each piece. The ensemble discipline was precise. The performance standards of this Ensemble left a lasting impression on the audience.

this was an ensemble piece, easy to listen to but hard to sing well, and it was carried off with aplomb, making it sound easy.

     And now to the music – The Madrigals etc., presented the choral works of Renaissance & Baroque composers Bach, Handel, Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Purcell and Thomas Weelkes.

.    J.S. Bach’s popular composition ‘Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring’, 

Bass solo by Torbjörn Tällberg Marthins,  ‘Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together’ by G.F. Handel from the Oratorio Messiah. 

.    Adoramus Te Christe  by C. Moteverdi  - a Motet, sung reverently and expressively by the ensemble.

.    Cantate Domino by C. Monteverdi – a polyphonic motet  sung joyously and with spirit. 

.    Ombra Mai Fu by G.F. Handel an aria from the Opera Serse (Xerxes)by G.F. Handel. Sung by Maria Forsström – mezzo soprano/alto brought out the beauty of this sublime song in her gorgeous voice - her voice at the same time so tender, her notes so perfect, so exceptionally smooth, her tone so beautifully rounded and her dynamic range a joy. She shaded the song flawlessly. 

.    Jehova, Quam Multi Sunt Mei – by Henry Purcell – A declamatory solo and choral work. The ensemble performed this piece with verve and the tenor solo by Jonas Olsson was beautifully sung with suitable fervour and expression. 

.    Rejoce Greatly Oh Daughter of Zion – By G.F. Handel, this aria from the well known Oratario ‘Messiah’  was sung by the other great soprano in the Ensemble, Lena Moen whose sweet-toned soprano, though mature, is a beautiful instrument with a full range; her voice is light, yet rich, lovely and attractive. Only trained singers of a high standard can take the long runs and yet give the song so much colour and emotion.

.    Nun Komm Der Haiden Heiland – J. S. Bach, This Organ Prelude was played on the Pipe organ by Jan H Borjesson, a choir master and organist in Gothenburg, The full range of the pipe organ was given a work out and was made to sound perhaps as Bach had wanted it to sound.

.    Hear My Prayer O Lord – Henry Purcell – This was handled by the ensemble brilliantly, capturing the very difficult dissonances, and the clear harmonies, with a ease. 

.    Betracht Meine Seel  - J.S. Bach – This was from the sacred oratorio, The St John Passion, this was sung by the Ensemble with its usual competence

.    Hosanna To The Son Of David – Thomas Weelkes – this dark yet resplendent little gem was done justice to by the ensemble.

     Part Two of the programme was a rendition of Gloria by Antonio Lucio Vivaldi. Gloria is his most famous piece in twelve parts.

     And though it is a conservative piece, it is full of attractive moments typical of Vivaldi’s vigorous and effervescent melodic energy. The choral singing was skilfully balanced and the opening ‘Gloria’ was lively and neatly articulated. The soloists were as usual absolutely professional and sang their parts with feeling and understanding. Of particular note was the ‘Domine Deus’ duet by the Mezzo soprano and the Soprano. This was an example of perfect harmony and proficient interpretation. 

     This was an evening of wonderful music that took place at St John the Baptist Church, Secunderabad, from a choral ensemble that has offered the twin cities so generously of its talent and energy. It was definitely an evening to be cherished. 

  For www.hydmusic.com Posted 15th February 2011