In May 2009, the MRB held a sold-out concert at Chapel Off Chapel, title d “Love & War”.
Rather than a showcase concert of individual pieces of music, Love & War was a musical exploration of emotions associated with conflict. From classical to swing, from movie themes to folk song, the performance spanned all musical styles, which the band presented alongside special guests MGL Youth Chorus and singer Liam Pedersen.
The concert was framed with the epic Mars, the bringer of war at one end, and the intimate Pacem – a Hymn for Peace at the other. Mars is a piece that evokes brutality and futility from a terrifying ‘bird’s eye’ perspective, whilst Pacem offers expressions of love and hope in a more intimate arena. The program explored the tension between these distinct perspectives; between the epic and the intimate.
Some of the music performed was easily categorised by one perspective or another. Hymn to Red October, Virginia and The Dam Busters evoked Russian, American and British nationalism respectively. In contrast, Schindler’s List and Angel are intensely personal reflections. Other works were harder to place because they inhabit both perspectives; Les Misérables is one example, Eric Bogle’s anti-war anthem And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda is another.
And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda, sung by guest Liam Pedersen and arranged by Mark Lyall, was easily one of the highlights of the night, along with the MGL Youth Chorus’ performance of Angel.
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