Rothley’s coronation celebration concert

CORONATION EVE saw over 160 people gather in Rothley Parish Church to enjoy a veritable feast of music to celebrate King Charles’ Coronation.

The programme of music, masterminded by Simon Murphy, the parish church’s organist and choir trainer, showcased both a diverse range of music and a whole range of musical talents from within the choir.

The first half of the evening intertwined regal, classical and sacred pieces focusing primarily on the forthcoming Coronation, with its history, tradition and sacred setting at its heart.

Simon Murphy’s opening organ piece was the spectacular ‘Intrada’ by Grayson Ives – written for the late Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Rothley Church Choir sang with great precision, commitment and force spine-tingling elements of the anthem ‘Zadok the Priest’: ‘And All the People Rejoiced’ and ‘God Save the King’ –music which has been sung at the most sacred anointing of the sovereign during the coronation of every British monarch since composed by George Frederick Handel for the coronation of George II in 1727.

The focus then changed to the eloquent and very well received trumpet rendition by Emma Telford of Jeremiah Clarke’s ‘Trumpet Voluntary’.

G F Handel’s ‘Art Thou Troubled’ was then exquisitely delivered as a piano accompanied soprano solo by Susan Joyce.

Olivia Longman and Georgina Kellie, a sopranos duet, then moulded together to enchant the audience, singing from Vivaldi's Gloria, the famous Laudamus Te.

The full Rothley Church Choir, with organ accompaniment, followed with a fulsome rendition of “O Thou the Central Orb”.

With piano accompaniment, Peter Norris displayed both the versatility of the recorder and his playing ability, soloing the Overture from ‘Sonata’ by Francesco Maria Veracini.

Following an exquisite rendition of G F Handel’s ‘Eternal Source of Light Divine’ on the organ by Simon Murphy, the Rothley Church Choir rounded off the first half of the concert with a rousing and joyous rendition of the ever popular ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from Handel’s Messiah.

After an enjoyable interval with wine, juices and canapés, Simon Murphy opened the second half with Sir William Walton’s ‘Crown Imperial’ – giving the audience the opportunity to enjoy the heady and thoroughly enjoyable mix of the organ’s majesty combined with Simon’s mastery on the console.

The audience was then treated by the church choir to a stirring rendition of ‘I Vow to Thee my Country’ which, being unaccompanied, gave full opportunity for

John Rutter’s ‘This is the day’ followed, particularly suited to and delivered by the church choir.

From Charles Poole choir members to deliver superb harmonies combined with clarity of diction, which resonated throughout the church.

As the evening came towards a close, Peter Norris returned, smaller recorder in hand, to astound and delight the audience with his dextrous and increasingly speedy delivery of ‘The Sailor’s Hornpipe’, never once missing a note!

Emma Telford then returned to give a further fine trumpet rendition – the ‘Trumpet Tune’ by Henry Purcell, much appreciated by all.

A return by Sue Joyce with a Soprano solo of ‘You Raise Me Up’ was beautifully delivered, and again drew in the audience to the sentiments expressed by the song.

There then followed a most enjoyable piano duet, played by Alison Godfrey and Simon Murphy, ‘In England’ by Michael Diack. This caused the audience much foot tapping, while at the same time challenging them to identify the many tunes meshed and intertwined into the piece.

Apparent interlopers then took to the stage! Four ‘weathered’ and bearded sailors grabbed the limelight with a selection of Sea Shanties: ‘John Kanaka’, ‘Wellerman’, ‘Nelson’s Blood’ and ‘(What Shall We Do With) The Drunken Sailor’ or something similar as, in most cases, the words were blatantly adapted to create a ‘Rothley’ feel. It was only a programme note which enabled the audience to identify the heavily disguised foursome as Jonty, Jerry and Sam Pilbeam and Simon Murphy.

David Wilson DL then proposed a Toast to His Majesty the King, with the audience voicing their loud support, followed by the National Anthem.

Rob Gladstone concluded the evening with appropriate thanks, particularly to Simon Murphy, the choir and other musicians and those who had helped stage the event. He concluded with a blessing, followed by everyone joining in and singing ‘Jerusalem’ by Sir Hubert Parry.

A retiring collection raised £670, with the proceeds being donated to The Soar Valley Community Food Project.