Anthony Ritchie’s oratorio Gallipoli to the Somme for orchestra, choir and two soloists drew text from diaries, poems and traditional songs, taking its title from Alexander Aitken’s book of war experiences in the Otago Battalion.
Aitken carried his violin to war with him, and the 55-minute work began with a beautiful lyrical violin solo (Tessa Petersen) setting the mood for an enduring memorial performance by DSO, 120 members of City Choir Dunedin and Southern Youth choir (directed by David Burchell) and Dunedin’s internationally acclaimed soprano Anna Leese and bass Martin Snell.
The choir was superb, rising to every demand of shading and balance, especially in the strong anthems E te ope tuatahi and All the Hills and Vales Along.
Programme text and detailed references enabled the audience to follow the powerful content of this emotional work, as soprano solos farewelled a lover or mourned the loss of three sons.
Train journeys and military action were assigned bass solos.
Declamatory, often unaccompanied solos were all gloriously delivered, emotional and heart-rending.
Noticeable was the ingenious scoring, never too busy or overshadowing text, yet always in character.
Percussion was important throughout.
After the final chord, complete silence held the audience before prolonged applause and standing ovation rewarded this brilliant new work.
Ritchie will be remembered as one of the greatest composers of his time.There were three other items.
Le Tombeau de Couperin, by Maurice Ravel, originally a six-movement piano suite in memory of six friends killed in World War 1, was later orchestrated.
Swirling sound from tight, tidy strings impressed throughout, with melodic themes suitably prominent. Australian born F. S. Kelly (1881-1916) composed few works before he was killed in action in France.
Elegy for String Orchestra ‘In Memoriam Rupert Brooke’ was written after the death (also at war) of his great friend British poet Rupert Brooke.
Again, the strings (including harp) excelled with rich texture, haunting lyricism and an emotionally laced, soft peaceful final passage.
A big, full orchestral sound for Wagner’s Prelude to Die Maeistersinger ended a magnificent programme.
- Elizabeth Bouman
Gallipoli to the Somme
Dunedin Town Hall, Saturday, October 1
