077 905 143 77 | 020 8715 4436 newtowncom@gmail.com

Sea music premiered in packed church venue

Guest House Opera’s vocal quartet gave a polished premiere performance of Chris Wood’s five Sea Songs at All Saints Church, Carshalton, on 5 October as part of the 2013 Imagine Festival of the Arts, funded by Sutton Council.

A packed church also enjoyed a performance of Shadow Ships by Play of Light Theatre and more sea songs – this time three songs from Lieutenant Cockatoo, a cycle by Phyllis Tate, sung by ten and 11 year old children from nearby Stanley Park Junior School.

Chris also premiered a recorded version of Sea Changes, a descriptive piece of orchestral ballet music, and Waiting, a cool jazz instrumental, to which dancer Sharon Coe was choreographed by Malti Patel of Croydon-based Apsaras Arts. Chris is pictured with Karin Andrews Jashapara, artistic Director of Play of Light Theatre.

Lost in Life

Lost in Life (dedicated to those who died on September 11) was the most moving piece in the concert. You exactly hit the mood of the time. Congratulations!

John Austin
Fine Arts Sinfonia

Conversation Piece

Great care and thought had obviously gone into the highly atmospheric Conversation Piece by Christopher Wood. The oboe’s announcement of the legato opening subject was well molded, controlled and serious, setting the tone for a warm dialogue with expressive strings. Fluctuations of tempo sounded natural and inevitable and silence was dramatically effective, the parlando musical argument always clear, played with ravishing sound quality. An original twist concluded the dialogue, ensuring an unusual ending to a lovely piece.

Ruth Goslett
Croydon Advertiser

String Quartet

Lovely string playing made the String Quartet by Christopher Wood a joy to hear. Its lyrical opening, with the musical argument effortlessly and eloquently passing from viola, violins and cello, was deeply felt. Pauses were atmospheric and contrapuntal writing cleverly handled. Rhythm was taught and well-sprung in the contrasting middle section and the ending was ethereal.

Ruth Goslett
Croydon Advertiser

Carter in Crisis

Tinged with a deep autumnal melancholy, it tells of an ageing man’s obsession with the bust of a beautiful young Adonis. I found myself mulling over its meaning long after Carter’s valedictory cri de coeur had been sounded.

Donald Madgwick
Croydon Advertiser
gho - guest house opera long logo

Any singers interested in joining GHO should contact Paddy Cockshutt on 078908 18508

Chris Wood on 077 905 143 77
or 020 8715 4436

Orchestral players should email: newtowncom@gmail.com

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn