Henze - Voices

Guildhall New Music Ensemble conducted by Ryan Wigglesworth

The first live event of this Henze Total Immersion weekend was eagerly awaited and certainly lived up to expectations. Ryan Wigglesworth conducted the Guildhall New Music Ensemble and an excellent selection of student singers from the Guildhall.

My very first impression was that despite having been composed in 1973, how incredibly relevant this composition is to the 21st century Zeitgeist. In some ways their resonance has only increased further as one sadly realises how little change there has been in the social and political climate in which Henze composed the 22 songs which make up the work. In particular those songs relating to war and man's inhumanity towards man.

For me that was perhaps the most surprising and powerful aspect of this performance, it really did underline how astute Henze's choice of texts was at the time.

Ryan Wigglesworth directed the diverse ensemble of instruments (huge percussion section for starters) with his customary precision and flair. I was impressed at the versatility required from the players - violinists required to double on violas, the concertmaster to even have a quick spin on mandolin! Impeccable musicianship was demonstrated by all in this complex and frequently virtuosic music.

With the limited time I have to quickly type up this blog, I have to pick out a couple of outstanding moments from the performance, I'm hoping to return later to post some more in-depth thoughts. The song which perhaps made the most immediate and tangible hit with the highly appreciative audience was 'The Electric Cop' - a bitingly witty dissection of all that is bad about American television. The lyrics may have been written by Victor Hernandez Cruz back in the 1970s but Celebrity Big Brother and other excruciating shows around today make it even more valid in 2010! Wonderfully sung and acted by tenor Nicholas Allen - loved the popping balloons! The other performer who notably relished Henze's demanding vocal writing was the mezzo-soprano Sioned Gwen Davies who especially excelled in Screams (Interlude) along with her participation in several duets, most definitely an artist to look out for in the future.

The 90 minutes of this work passed by in a flash, it was such a totally committed and engaging performance by everyone involved - Bravo! - which I wanted to hear again as soon as it had finished and which I highly recommend listening to when it is broadcast in the near future on BBC Radio 3.