AS one of the few people at the Point last night who had not heard the best selling record album which spawned this live event, my initial reaction was one of surprise at how jolly an evening of hymns could be. Thanks in no small measure to the lively pace maintained by the musical director, John Tate, this was light years removed from the turgid dirges recalled from long ago modality meetings. And the members of the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra responded eagerly to his urgings.
The fine group of soloists was headed by Regina Nathan, whose creamy soprano soared effortlessly and whose seamless legato was a delight throughout. If there was a noticeable blandness in her performance, it was probably because she sang almost everything from sheet music. Frank Patterson, who sang from memory, offered considerably more expressiveness. His dryish tenor couldn't match the soprano's opulence, but his consistently musical phrasing was most pleasing and his way with words bore all the hallmarks of a true vocal storyteller.
Eleven year old Ros Ni Dhubhain, whose use of her sweet soprano showed remarkable assurance throughout, was particularly fine in her early Failte Romhat A Ri Na nAingeal and in the old Italian folk song we know as The Bells Of The Angelus. Sean nos singer Iarla O Lionard joined with piper Tommy Keane in a selection arranged by Michael Casey from Ceol An Aifrean and a poignant Ag Criost An siol.
The other stars of the show, apart from the pre recorded voices of the Glenstal monks, were Blanaid Murphy's two choirs the charming and articulate young voices of RTE's, Cor na nOg and the splendid adult body whose balance, tone and attack were examplary. The concert ended with a medly in which the audience was invited to join. It was like Songs of Praise, albeit with the hymn sheets at a fiver each.