Review: The Cathedral Music Classic
[Written by Dale Butler]
Tiffany Fox, April Roach-Maule, and Raymond George prepared a concert of classical music that was most fitting for The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity and enjoyed by a large crowd who gave a standing ovation.
The tone of the evening was set by Canon Calvert Prentis, who highlighted harmony and beauty in his welcome and prayer which was reinforced at the end by the 12th, and youngest, Anglican Bishop of the church, Bishop Nicholas Dill, who thanked everyone for helping the church to revive its highly popular breakfast programme.
Bermuda has a firm foundation of developing and/or attracting excellent musicians. Tiffany Fox is an accomplished pianist and violinist who also has training on the viola, cello, and pipe organ. She taught at Sandys Middle School and CedarBridge Academy and is currently the MYP music teacher at Somersfield Academy.
More than likely you have also heard her perform with the Bermuda Philharmonic, Bermuda Chamber Orchestra, and The String Collective, which she founded. With roots to the mother of Bermuda music, Maud Fox, music runs in her veins and she confirmed her expertise with every song. We are fortunate to have her on island as a co-founder of the Bermuda Youth Orchestra, who is also active in the music ministry of the Christ Anglican Church, Devonshire.
April Roach-Maule is the wife of Bermuda’s most outstanding trombonist, Graham Maule. They both seem to enjoy performing with a variety of groups, but one day I hope they will do something together. April was born in Trinidad and Tobago, also to a musical family. Her career was built on experiences with the Tobago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Michiana Symphony Orchestra of South Bend, Indiana. In Bermuda, she has been active in the children’s and music ministries at Restoration Ministries SDA Church, the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra, and also joined Tiffany Fox’s String Collective and formed Divine Duets. On Saturday she played cello.
Last but not least is Raymond George, who was born with a piano in his hands and moves easily in all music genres from jazz to soul, gospel, opera, and classical. With a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto, he has received numerous accolades and has footprints all over Bermuda. He has has also performed in the UK and Canada.
The concert started on time and within an hour it was over with an audience on its feet hoping for an encore. The following:
- Op. 34 “Gypsy” by Joseph Haydn whose music was described as “elegant, balanced, and witty, characterized by its innovation, emotional range, and clear structure.” Performed well by the trio.
- Violin Sonata No. 4: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart . Performed by Tiffany Fox. Wolfgang was “a prolific and influential Austrian composer of the Classical era , widely regarded as one of the greatest in Western music history.” Tiffany used her experience to demonstrate her masterful sense of style.
- Oblivion : Astor Piazzolla by the Piano Trio. I am very familiar with this piece which I have been learning on alto sax. They chose a more sedate, haunting and melancholic version that evoked sadness, nostalgia and forgetfulness. The church was totally quiet. It was as though it had penetrated every soul. Mission accomplished. Well done.
- The group did well with the following songs: Raindrop; God and God Alone; Caribbean Melody [the audience sang]; What a Beautiful Name, and As the Deer. They had no choice but to add an encore medley: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine. With the icing on the cake, a standing ovation!
The Cathedral has been very successful in building a following with a variety of concerts and I encourage them to continue. Church member Amoti K. Nyabongo-Producer/Facilitatot stayed in the background, but deserves recognition along with the ushers and support staff who made this a professional night of music.
- Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda music. In 2022, he opened Bermuda’s only House of Music at Rosalie Gardens, his home, which has won two gardening awards. He grew up in a home where he had to sit each evening and listen to a variety of music, from classical to opera, gospel, calypso, Latin, jazz, etc. His current research projects include Celeste Robinson, the Calypso Queen of Bermuda, and Ernie Leader.
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