Toad Lane Concerts: John Powell baritone and Elin Rees piano

Elin Rees and John Powell

Two more prominent north west musicians performed an elegant and stimulating concert in the superb acoustic of St Mary in the Baum, bringing eloquent warmth to the coldest day of the year so far (20 November).

London-born baritone John Powell studied music at Cambridge, before settling in Manchester. He initially taught and ran the choirs at Chetham's for many years, followed by the National Youth Choir, Bolton School and the University of York. He now teaches privately.

He has enjoyed a distinguished career as a solo singer and directs several choirs including  the John Powell Singers (with whom he has broadcast on BBC radio nearly 200 times).

Welsh pianist and organist Elin Rees is a freelance accompanist at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she gained a master’s in piano whilst also the organ scholar at St Ann’s Church in Manchester. She continues to be in demand in both disciplines as choir accompanist, resident organist at Bury Parish Church and a recitalist.

Early songs by English Rennaissance composer Dowland and Italian Baroque Carissimi introduced us to the theme of unrequited love as expressed over four centuries. This included Romantic lieder by Brahms and Schubert, Clara Schumann and Wolf, contrasted with further English settings.  

John’s informative introductions and printed translations underpinned the theme throughout. The latter part of the recital had a lighter touch with a delightful set of British folk songs arranged by Britten, sometimes witty, sometimes quirky, but always shining new light on familiar tunes.

Then George Gartlan’s naïve and charming little parlour song from 1920, The Lilac Tree (subtitled Perspicacity) led us to a dramatic and hilarious finale - The Lord Chancellor's Nightmare Song (from Iolanthe) by Arthur Sullivan, with impressive virtuoso passages of patter singing.

John’s impressive, beautifully poised baritone range of tone and expression, plus impeccable, sensitive piano accompaniments from Elin resulted in a sophisticated and fulfilling recital.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson