Composer’s work receives premiere

LOUGHBOROUGH is privileged to have a composer of note in the area whose most recent work was premièred at Trinity Methodist Church on March 17.

John Middleton’s “The Word”, a prequel to his “St John Passion” of five years ago, is an oratorio which features quasi-operatic dialogue with choral interjections taken from the first ten chapters of the Gospel according to St John.

It tells of Jesus’ life and miracles whilst highlighting the seeds of the conflict between him and the authorities.

John Middleton selected the words judiciously from the Biblical version but kept the events in order whilst adapting and paraphrasing the text to suit the music and the dramatic structure of the work.

This meant a huge task of word-setting but Bibles were helpfully provided for the audience to follow the arrangement of the eight sections.

Accompanied by a small orchestra, tautly directed by Paul Blakemore, the composer was well-served by his 16 singers who, with tenor Lyndon Garner taking on the taxing role of Jesus, sang individually and in ensemble to provide textural contrasts.

The sonorous choral writing was particularly well written with some lovely harmonies – easily amongst the best sections of the work.

Mr Gardner sang with interpretive understanding and sensitivity as did some of the ensemble notably Andrew Ella whose diction was an example to all.

Despite the freezing blizzard conditions in Loughborough that evening, the audience responded warmly and with appreciation to a successful outcome for the proud composer and the skills of his performers.