Written by Richard
Rating: 5
VERIFIED
A memorable evening. My review is as follows:
What is so special about a DEBUT Secret Concert? Quite a lot!
These are intimate and informal presentations of mainly, but not exclusively, classical music by young professional musicians of high calibre, including some regulars, in unusual but attractive venues: the tunnel of Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe, Shoreditch Treehouse and now also The Queen's House in Greenwich.
This year's schedule includes three Christmas concerts, and I was pleased to catch the first of them on 4th. December in the Brunel Tunnel.
It was a musical feast - but almost a literal one too, given the availability of hot toddy, mince pies etc.
Acting as host and compere Lizzie Holmes, founder of the organization, introduced each item with her customary infectious enthusiasm, also singing soprano as required, the other artists being Eleanor Garside (soprano), Meriel Cunningham (mezzo soprano), Adam Torrance (tenor), Rene Bloice-Sanders (baritone), Pedro Lopez (flute) and resident pianist Sam Pena.
Between them they provided a heady mixture of popular Christmas songs, "classical" carols, operetta and instrumental solos, whilst, its being a Christmas concert, there were, of course, audience carols and the traditional 'Twelve Days of Christmas' with sections of the audience challenged to come in on the correct verse. (I think I managed it!)
I could enthuse over every single item in the programme, but must restrain myself!
Amongst so much, I was very taken with Meriel's superb singing of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas', stylishly accompanied by Sam, and enjoyed the various renditions of 'Winter Wonderland', 'Jingle Bell Rock', 'Love Unspoken' and 'Christmas on the Beach at Waikiki' (a new one on me) whilst 'O Holy Night' was positively haunting and a moving arrangement of The Coventry Carol (repeated from 2024) was delivered by the quartet with highly sensitive phrasing, blend and balance.
Pedro's solos eschewed more conventional flute repertoire, but were none the worse for that, whilst Sam's pianism continues to astonish - not least his ability to improvise so successfully on themes requested by the audience.
Just one small request. No doubt formal programme notes would be too much, but it would be nice to have composers and arrangers of the various songs named in the programme.
Would I recommend DEBUT Secret Concerts?
I certainly would.