Reviews
It was a compelling evening, brimming with emotion, as Wexford Sinfonia orchestra premiered a new work, Heroes of the Helen Blake, by Liam Bates, to a capacity house. The concert marked the centenary of the sinking of the Norwegian vessel, The Mexico, off the Wexford coast and the bravery of the lifeboat crew. Author Eoin Colfer read from his late father’s account of the tragedy.
The work in five movements was full of colour and drama, written in a rich, post-Romantic, film-score style. The parallels with Vaughan Williams were apparent in the use of sea shanties. The hymn tune, ‘Hail Queen of Heaven,’ was the main theme of the opening movement, and was echoed later. The second movement, ‘Strength and Grace’, opened with the clearer texture of a solo clarinet line set against scurrying string motifs and delicate, harp accompaniment.
