Annelies is divided into fourteen movements.

1. Introit – prelude (instrumental)

2. The capture foretold

3. The plan to go into hiding

4. The last night at home and arrival at the Annexe

5. Life in hiding

6. Courage

7. Fear of capture and the second break-in

8. Sinfonia (Kyrie)

9. The Dream

10. Devastation of the outside world

11. Passing of time

12. The hope of liberation and a spring awakening

13. The capture and the concentration camp

14. Anne’s meditation

The US premiere of Annelies was given on April 28, 2007 in Westminster Choir College by our own resident choir, Williamson Voices.  They also recorded the Grammy-nominated recording.

The twist for them tonight is that they are being conducted by the composer and this is the first time he has ever conducted the work in performance.  They are accompanied by the Aquinas trio (Violin, Cello, and piano) and clarinetist Thomas Hull with Soprano soloist Elin Thomas.  All of these folks are big names in the U.K.

The concert was well attended by us and local residents.  I thought it was pretty flawless.  The soprano was great.  She rolled her r’s which for some reason struck me as unneeded.  The clarinet was occasionally drowned out by the strings.  That was about the extent of the faults I could find.  Whitbourn was clearly in his element.  With the short amount of rehearsal he had with the group, he looked at ease and in control the entire time.  The singers responded to him with enthusiasm and strength.

Annelies by James Whitbourn

Conducted by James Whitbourn

(Due to copyright restrictions this is just the first 10 mins or so)