On May 11th, The Cecilia Chorus of New York, under the direction of Maestro Mark Shapiro, presented an unusual and fascinating programme at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

The concert featured Dame Ethel Smyth’s “The Prison” alongside Mozart’s Requiem. This very seldom Smyth heard piece, for chorus, orchestra, and two soloists, is a fascinating experiment in form and content. Originally labeled a “symphony” by the composer-it is neither symphony or oratorio, but quite literally a “tone poem”. The words, written by her closest,dearest, departed friend Henry Brewster, are not so much set to the music as used in an illustrative manner-woodwinds and harp are used to great effect and a baroque style tutti stands in for an organ to introduce part two, titled “The Deliverance”.

Ethel Smyth was clearly a gifted and able composer, and although “The Prison” seems at times overwrought to ears accustomed to post-modern remove and minimalism, it’s an important work worth study and admiration.

Mark Shapiro

Maestro Shapiro led the musicians superbly through a most demanding program-eliciting  a moving and energetic performance from soloists and orchestra alike. His love for the music and deep understanding of its demands was impressive, as was his courage in presenting a difficult and seldom played work alongside one of the greatest and best known choral masterpieces.

Also impressive was the vocal talent on display, particularly soprano Ms. Chelsea Shepherd, whose beautiful and ringing tone projected effortlessly.