Grimsby Philharmonic Society, though not always under that name, has been part of the cultural life of the town since it was founded in 1852. What happened to our returning singers one faithful midnight? read on
Since Walter Porter became its conductor in 1882 there have been only six chorus masters, two of whom between them conducted the society for an amazing 75 years. Walter Porter and Alec Redshaw were both distinguished musicians, introducing the core repertoire of choral classics, such as Handel’s Messiah, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Bach’s B minor Mass.
Stranded without a bridge
The Phil treated the Grimsby audiences to some of the most famous soloists of the day, such as Peter Pears, Kathleen Ferrier and Isobel Baillie, Thomas Allen and Elisabeth Schumann. Both men also conducted the Hull Choral Union, which led to joint concerts, usually in Hull. One never-to-be forgotten evening, before the days of the Humber Bridge, ended with the Grimsby singers’ homeward ferry being stranded on a sand bank until 3 am.
Doing their bit
The war years were interesting, musically speaking, as celebrities in uniform stationed nearby gave concerts at no fee in aid of the war effort. So Grimsby heard artists such as Moisevitch, Solomon and Myra Hess.
Hedley Atkin was Chorus Master for 20 years, during which the choir enjoyed performing with guest conductors of the calibre of Sir David Willcocks and Sir Charles Groves. One concert deserves special mention, an all-Britten programme with Peter Pears singing and Britten himself in the audience. He said afterwards he thought it was the first concert in the country solely devoted to his music.
The Great Grimsby International Singing Competition in memory of Alec Redshaw was held three-yearly from 1980 until 1995. Some of its award winners such as Roderick Williams and Katerina Karneus, are now international stars.
A folk celebration
The Society celebrated its 140th anniversary by commissioning ‘Lincolnshire Voices,’ a choral suite based on Lincolnshire folk songs by William Llewellyn, who conducted the concert. Another composer who conducted his own work, ‘African Sanctus’, was David Fanshawe.
Straitened finances bedevilled the next few years and numbers dropped as morale became low. However the present conductor, Susan Hollingworth, an internationally well-known choral trainer, has re-vitalised the choir with her lively personality and consummate musicianship. It is now tackling exciting works by contemporary composers whilst not forgetting the favourite classics.
