Classic Response 2006

This was the second classic response concert in aid of SOS Children’s; charity (the first was on March 31st 2005) and many of the artists gave their services for the second time – and then we had some new ones also. The Hall was not full last year – and unfortunately was not this year either. I cannot hep wondering if the tickets are a little too expensive and if more might be sold if they were cheaper – and the programmes too (at £10 a go!)

Last year it was Aled Jones and Jamie Crick presenting; this year we had Aled again, this time with Myleene Klass, Aled in his fawn suit, with the jazzy lining, which he started by showing us all as an opening audience warmer, and Myleene in a long, elegant plum coloured strapless dress (Aled introduced Myleene saying “she’s looking great! But her dress hasn’t got a lining like this –“ flash!) He started by giving a short talk about how the money from the concert would all be going to children in Africa, both children suffering from HIV / Aids, and from the civil war in the Sudan.

Above the stage were two screens, one either side, both for the film and to show the artists / concert as it progressed. Otherwise the hall was not decorated, just the full orchestra on stage, and the Cantamus choir, dressed identically in long red dresses, sitting behind the orchestra throughout the first half, waiting to sing (as it turned out, just before the interval).

Aled introduced the Royal Philharmonic orchestra, and so we started with an orchestral piece – unfortunately there was no programme of what was played or sung and the presenters did not always say what the piece was, or if they did, I did not catch it! So often I knew the music, but cannot place a name to it – as with the opening piece. The stage was bathed in bluey turquoise, with lights roving over the orchestra.

On came Myleene – “What a fantastic way to open” said Myleene, and then introduced “three young men” – The Choirboys. On came CJ, Ben and Patrick wearing their trade mark dark suits – but for some reason, had white trainers on, which did not look quite right with the suits and in the Hall! Standing in pink spotlights, they sang “Panis Angelicus”, followed by “Tears in Heaven”, showing no nerves in the huge Hall, and in front of a large audience (even if it was not full!) On came Aled “The Choirboys – weren’t they great? Was that a wolf whistle I heard?! As their manager, it’s off to bed now, no clubbing!”

Aled then introduced Nicky Spence, not a singer I had heard of before but he had a pretty good voice! Very Scottish, Nicky came on in full Scottish outfit, complete with kilt, and asking the ladies in the front row if they had paid more for their tickets to see his kilt better…! His spikey hair was variously described by us as being like a halo, a frightened hedgehog or a crown of thorns! Nicky clearly took his singing seriously, but exuded a happy, cheerful air; and we started by going a little musical with Nicky singing what he said was one of his favourite songs, “Save the last song for me”. Nicky then said he felt very fortunate to have been born in Scotland and was to sing the best loved song from that country – “My love is like a red, red rose”.

Myleene came back on to introduce Emma Johnson, the clarinettist who had also played last year. From the circle her shot silk turquoise dress looked very elegant, but apparently less so from nearer to the stage! and the stage lighting echoed this as she was bathed in turquoise lighting also. Firstly Emma played a piece she described as having written herself for her daughter when she was in hospital and it was intended as a lullaby, but did not seem to work! She then played a piece by Chopin – but I am afraid I cannot say what. She is certainly a real virtuoso on the clarinet, with playing that can only be described as spectacular.

The first part of the film followed. G4 had been out to Ghana on behalf of SOS children’s villages, and the film followed their visit, concentrating on children suffering from AIDS/ HIV. G4 talked about the children scratching a living out of nothing while caring for younger brothers and sisters when their parents had died. They talked with some quite young children who were responsible for their siblings, and were shown playing with the children and making the children balloon headdresses! The diary of the visit and some pictures can be seen at:
http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/g4-classic-response.htm

Aled came back on and introduced Myleene, “From Hear Say to piano player, Myleene Klass, the glamour puss herself” – it was really rather nice that both presenters also took part, Myleene playing, and Aled (later) singing. Myleene herself said ”I was last here as part of a pop group, now I am here as part of classical response”; and, sitting at the grand piano in her elegant plum dress, spotlighted in turquoise, and accompanied by the Orchestra, she played firstly the theme from “Braveheart” and then “Palladio” - Karl Jenkins.

We stayed with the piano theme as Aled introduced Harry Harris, a fantastic pianist who had, according to the programme, been the resident Channel 4 Big Breakfast pianist. Harry was introduced as claiming to perform anything in any style, and was to play a “Medley of Everything” – and it was! - ranging through numerous well recognised tunes, each merging very cleverly into the next, with the audience laughing as they recognised first one and a couple of bars later, it had merged into another. “You must be tired – I am!” said Aled, when he had finished, “I understand you can do that sort of medley on the hoof. It’s the choice of the orchestra – “English Country Garden” in the style of Wagner and throw in a bit of Kylie”. So Harry did, brilliantly improvising on the spot. As Harry left the stage to very enthusiastic applause, Myleene came back on to say “Wasn’t he amazing? - I’ve taught him all he knows!”

Myleene then introduced Becky Jane Taylor, described as a teenage sensation, who came on in a long deep red dress. I can’t say what she sang, I am afraid, but she had a really great voice, and it was a shame that she sang only the one song. As she left the stage Aled came on and rather told us off! - “You could have carried on clapping! – I’m not as fit as I used to be! My dancing days are over. (“Aah”, said the audience! “Get a life!” said Aled) And at last it was time for the Cantamus choir, who had been sitting patiently at the back of the stage, to sing us into the interval. Unfortunately the lighting on the stage was yellow for the first song, so we had the red dresses with yellow arms and heads! – but for the second piece the lighting changed to white and the choir looked much more attractive! “That was an Anthem for Peace, especially written for tonight” said Aled, and then “Myleene and I will see you after the Interval – mine’s a G&T! “

After the Interval, Aled only came back on stage – and said “No Myleene? Is it something I said? Maybe she‘s applying her makeup!” Eventually Myleene came on to introduce the Opera Babes, Rebecca Knight and Karen England, and “Check out those dresses – they’re fantastic!!” she said. I am afraid we were not impressed! We felt that they looked like a couple of bedraggled swans that had been in a fight – oh dear! Pictures of them and all the artists can be seen at:

Wenn photos: http://photo.wenn.com/

wireimage: http://www.wireimage.com/

getty: http://editorial.gettyimages.com/
(or go to getty images - editorial - entertainment- April 15 classical response)

caroline: http://www.carolinephotos.com/

But we know that the Opera Babes like to dress in a fancy manner, and they did not disappoint! The first song I recognised but cannot remember! - the second was the rousing “Beat out that rhythm on a drum” from Carmen.

Myleene came back to tell us about the little Pavarotti, of Russian and English heritage – Alex Prior, aged 13, who had just returned from a tour of Russia (to where, according to his website, he returns quite often). He is a tall young man for his age, dressed in a white suit with a white bow tie, with an incredible stage presence and a strong, definite, tenor voice. But I was a little puzzled – presumably he originally had a treble voice that had broken? And my understanding is that boys should not sing for some years after the voice has broken?? Whatever! - he certainly was spectacular, standing in the blue spotlight and filling the Hall with “Granada”. He left the stage and, unsurprisingly, was called back for an encore.

We then had the second part of the film from Tema, Ghana. G4 were now in a village with some children, who were dancing and playing brass instruments! They then spoke with the housemother about the children, and this was followed by a talk from Jon about sponsorship. As we returned to the RAH, Aled followed up, talking further about how sponsorship could help a child. He then introduced Julian Lloyd Webber, saying that he would be playing two tracks from a new CD, “Unexpected Songs” with piano accompaniment by Pam Chowhan. The first piece was Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla, followed by Oscar Rasbach’s “Trees”. For an encore, Julian played a piece he said the had found tucked away deep in, I think he said, the Royal College of Music just behind the Hall (!) – Scherzetto by Frank Bridges, a lively, virtuoso piece as the name implies!

Mylenne introduced Amy Nuttall, ex of Emmerdale fame, who at 16, understudied 'Christine' on tour in "The Phantom of the Opera", and is now touring in “My Fair Lady”. Most of the ladies were in long evening dresses; Amy’s was simple, knee length, black with a sweetheart neckline and suited her so well we all decided it won the dress of the evening competition – proof that you don’t have to over-dress to impress! She does indeed have a lovely voice; unfortunately she only sang one song, and equally unfortunately I can’t remember what it was! Myleene followed this with a glowing introduction to Aled, the usual references to singing for the Queen, for the Pope, at the Hollywood Bowl, Walking in the Air, Strictly Come Dancing etc. Julian Lloyd Webber came back on stage to accompany Aled singing “Marble Halls”. I have heard Aled sing this in concerts before, but have not heard it, as on the CD “Aled”, with JLW, so found that particularly enjoyable.

After the applause – “Back to the day job!” said Aled and took his place again at the announcer’s stand, to introduce Amici Forever. The audience dutifully clapped – and nothing happened! Eventually, Jo Appleby came on alone… She said ”It’s me only! You can start now!” and the orchestra started up. Jo started singing alone and then was joined on stage gradually by Tskane, Bruno and David, with Tsakane taking over the soprano, and singing Nella Fantasia, followed by Aranjuez, with new member Bruno doing a solo bit at the end.

Aled came back on stage to talk a little more about SOS, and the benefits of sponsoring. He went briefly off stage and returned hand in hand with Nocky Dlamini, a former SOS child from Swaziland who is now studying medicine at Southampton University. Nocky was clearly nervous, as Aled stood with his hand on her shoulder. “She’s not here to sing, she’s not here to play – just to talk” said Aled. Nocky talked about losing her parents and going to the SOS village at age 10, where every child has lost at least one parent. She did well there; and so SOS helped her to go to secondary school and now to university - to show just what a difference sponsorship can make. “Nocky – an inspiration” said Aled, and led her gently off stage.

Myleene came on stage to introduce G4 – saying “G4 – phwoor!” On a red stage, G4 sang “La Donna e Mobile” and then an encore, the name of which I cannot remember – maybe someone else who was there will remember. And, like last year, the bill-topping name was not the last to perform. Instead, Myleene and Aled came back on stage, thanked everyone for coming and introduced Joseph McManners. Joseph looked better than the last time I saw / heard him, dressed smartly and with his hair cut a little. Unfortunately the song he sang, “Daughter of England”, a new piece composed by Jaz Coleman in memory of Princess Diana, and the first time it had been performed, was, in my opinion, too long, too difficult and had little tune. So the concert came to, for me, a rather disappointing end.

However, this could not detract from what was, in total, a very enjoyable evening.

For a SOS write up of the evening, see:
http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/classicresponse.htm

Added: April 23rd 2006
Reviewer: Bonita
Score: