HONOURING THE MUSIC OF GEORGE AND IRA GERSHWIN AND CHARLES GOUNOD

 

Vincit qui se vincit may have been a motivational catchphrase by some Roman choir member preparing for a singing exam way back in the1^st century BC but it is a maxim with no less relevance today and none more so than on the morning of Saturday 23^rd March when three courageous choir members, and later that evening, the Esk Community Choir Ensemble, were the embodiment of ‘He conquers all who conquers himself first’.

The day began in the kitchen at the rear of St Agnes’s Anglican Hall where three cotton- mouthed candidates, piano examinee Suzanne, and singers, Marina, and Susie along with one very competent accompanist, Alexis, awaited their chance to perform under the scrutiny of examiner, Mr Matthews Tyson who had come to give his sage advice and final marks to these nervous nellies.

Marina, Susan, Alexis and Suzanne with Matthews

Morning examinations completed, each emerged from the hall having replaced the veil of fear with an air of satisfaction and pride in what they had just achieved. Is this not the point of sitting examinations…setting goals, testing one’s limits, conquering fears, and devoting time and effort to improve one’s performance skills and music knowledge?

Examiner, Mr Matthews Tyson hails from Launceston, Tasmania where he is the Director and creator of the St Cecilia School of Music which has since 1974 been offering high-quality music education to students of all ages and developmental levels  Today, while predominantly providing tuition to students in the Launceston area, the school conducts examinations, masterclasses, and private lessons to students throughout Australia, New Zealand, USA, Italy, and Asia.  Notwithstanding Mr Tyson’s affection for his favoured little town of Esk, singing students and choir have been for several years, so fortunate to have reaped the benefits of his vast experience and musical knowledge.  Snatching one more opportunity to utilise Mr Tyson’s expertise, ‘Gounod Vs Gershwin- A Sundowner Soiree’ was the blueprint for an Ensemble examination-style concert with a delectable light dinner thrown in for a delighted audience.

One of Gershwin’s most recognised jazz creations, Rhapsody in Blue signalled the start of a catalogue of Gershwin hits, their successes largely due to the Gershwins’ songs’ enduring popularity.  But Not for Me, Love Walked In, The Man I Love, and I Got Rhythm just a few of the enticing rhythms, simple melodies and sophisticated harmonies which have stood the test of time, recreated throughout the Golden years of Hollywood and on this day in the Somerset Civic Centre’s auditorium which sparkled with a Sundowner Soiree theme.

Counterpoint to the style of the Gershwin brothers was the music of 19^th century French composer Charles Gounod, the writer of church music, songs, popular short pieces, and several operas, his most famous being Faust, two of the gems from which became a sublime selection of the Gounod repertoire performed by the Esk Men and Mixed Choir Ensembles. However, it was the Gounod /Bach arrangement of the celebrated prayer, Ave Maria, prefixed with an overture by the Ensemble’s ‘orchestra’ comprising Ruth on piano, Suzanne on Flute, and Marina and Nola augmenting with the sounds of organ and strings followed by a glorious rendition by the Ensemble which had the audience transfixed to the stage.

Voting for a winner in the Gershwin Vs Gounod popularity stakes had the audience ‘jury’ deadlocked.  However, if audience accolades, percentage results and final comments by Matthews Tyson were any indication, it was vincit qui se vincit ; a testament to months of commitment and determination to excel, a culmination of  Alexis’s belief in achieving impossible things, her unparalleled patience and talent, the choreographed tag teaming of two consummate accompanists, Alexis and Ruth and the honouring of two amazing composers whose music will always hold a special place in the hearts of many which emerged as winners.     

 By: Sue Walker