The Nuremburg Cantata, Mannheim Ensemble, Dee Palmer (piano), Katie Thomas (conductor)

The first half was delightfully bombastic (‘Mars’ from Holst’s Planets), elegant (Warlock’s ‘Capriol Suite’ & Provost’s ‘Intermezzo’) and rhapsodic (Brighton resident Richard Addinsell’s ‘Warsaw Concerto’).

All these elements came together in Dee Palmer’s ‘The Nuremburg Cantata’, recalling those lost from Bomber Command, 30 March 1944. It is a poignant mix of styles, special effects and period charm. A feisty women’s chorus, an uplifting sonnet by Gillespie Magee (1922-1941) for tenor (Tom Raskin) and horn (Ian  Stott) and alto Heather Cairncross’s solo ‘Bring Them In’ (reminiscent of ‘Les Misérables’) made its point quite beautifully. This work is a most fitting memorial.

All Saints’ Church Hove, 30 March 2012

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