The Winkleigh Singers
"A SUPERB CONCERT BY THE WINKLEIGH SINGERS"
St Michael and All Angels Church, Torrington, March 2009
with
A former pupil of Tiffin Boys' School, Kingston, Andrew Daldorph graduated with a first class honours degree in music from the University of Southampton in 1993. He then took up the post of Organ Scholar at Guildford Cathedral and subsequently gained Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists. Andrew took lessons from some of the world's most eminent organists, including Peter Hurford, David Hill, David Sanger and Dame Gillian Weir, and on the harpsichord, he studied with Robert Woolley. He frequently gives recitals and has played for services and concerts in cathedrals and concert halls throughout the country.
He is the conductor of both the Exeter Chamber Choir and the East Devon Choral Society. Recent performances include Bach's B Minor Mass in September 2007 in Exeter Cathedral, Mozart's Requiem, Bach's Magnificat and Orff's Carmina Burana.
Andrew has arranged a great deal of music and is commissioned regularly to compose original pieces – mostly choral or jazz. His new work – Songs of Hope and Creation – is a modern oratorio and had its première in the spring 2008, receiving a standing ovation. A performance of the piece in Exeter Cathedral is planned for 31st October 2009 with his two Devon-based choirs.
Andrew teaches piano and organ privately and at Exeter School. To relax, Andrew enjoys playing jazz piano with his trio at functions across the UK and abroad.
I WAS glad to be invited to this concert and although not familiar with the programme, thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Roland Smith, conductor and musical director of this choir, had selected anthems dating from the 15th century to the present day. Each was introduced giving the context of its composition and some detail of the composer. Having enjoyed exquisitely sung early anthems by composers such as Tallis and Byrd in the first half, the audience was exhilarated as the choir launched into Zadok the Priest by Handel. Expertly accompanied by Andrew Daldorph playing Torrington's renowned Father Willis organ, this anthem raised the roof, creating a wall of sound one would not have believed possible from this small group of singers.
The second half featured anthems from the 19th and 20th centuries. The highlights for me were A Hymn to the Virgin by Benjamin Britten and Song for Athene by John Tavener. The Britten Anthem required the singers to split into two choirs. This enabled them to show just how accomplished they are, performing a complex yet hauntingly lyrical piece. Tavener's Song for Athene became well known when it was used for the funeral of Diana Princess of Wales. It provides a serious challenge for basses who have to sing just one note throughout the whole piece. Again, the singers rose to the challenge and performed this moving song of loss and remembrance with great skill.
Organist Andrew Daldorph played two solo pieces, the last of which by Simon Preston demonstrated just what the Father Willis organ can do when played by such a talented and skilled musician.
A superb concert! I look forward to the next one on Saturday July 4: Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle at St Peter's Church, Barnstaple.
Joel Cooper, North Devon Journal