ENERGY BRIMS OVER David Fanshawe's rumbustious amd popular hit from 1972, African Sanctus, proved a perfect choice for the youthfully exuberant 300-plus Intervarsity Choir. Two weeks of intensive rehearsal produced not only this enthusiastic and energetic performance but will also hopefully bear fruit in an equally creditable Israel in Egypt at the Festival Theatre on Friday. Fanshawe's choral writing, although tricky to fit rhythmically with the many tape-recorded examples woven into the score, is ruggedly constructed with broad brush-strokes and can take the occasional piece of rough handling from inexperienced voices without losing its integrity. It simple imagery relies on massed effects and rhythmic ostinati to drive home messages that still resonate today, although with different inflections from the 1970's. Conductor Timothy Sexton kept a frim grip on his eager singers, ably supported by some of Adelaide most experienced players, and they ensured everything fitted even if vocal pithces sometimes slid flat and phrase shapes came out of kilter. The Sanctus itself was impressively sung with the "power, rhythm and exuberance" specified by Fanshawe and there were fleeting subtleties in such moments as the end of the Gloria and the a cappella section finishing the Kyrie. Sensibly omitting the 1993 additional Dona nobis pacem from the end ensured the work maintained its high-octane kick to the last note. Rodney Smith
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