Ambitious and flourishing choral society
By Edward Dodge on Tuesday, 30th April 2013.
Saturday evening provided the town with a real treat at Haverhill Choral Society’s concert at the Old Independent Church.
It was good to see the society’s numbers so flourishing and capable of tackling such an ambitious and exciting programme.
The opening number reminded us of the most recent royal wedding, in the form of Parry’s Blest Pair Of Sirens. Adrian Marple provided a very confident organ accompaniment for this and the other choral items, exploiting the full range of the splendid instrument.
Jeffrey Dyball, the distinguished harpist, not only contributed to the accompaniments but also provided three charming pieces for harp solo by Tournier.
In Britten’s intriguing Rejoice In The Lamb the cat and mouse solos were ably provided by Isobel Craig and Jeremy Jepson and there was confident singing from the choir.
In Faure’s Cantique De Jean Racine the chorus showed its expressive side and the organ showed its capability for French organ sounds.
The conductor, Jane Wright, deserves special mention for leading the singers confidently through the complex rhythms of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and the chorus managed the Hebrew text very well.
The sopranos handled their part with skill especially as it stayed high in the register for long periods.
Besides organ and harp, accompaniment was also provided by drum kit played by Stephen Moore. Solos were sung by Isobel Craig, Andy Letcher and Alan Davison.
This was all supported by a well-produced programme with very helpful background notes. Afterwards a splendid buffet supper was enjoyed by performers and audience.
I look forward to the Society’s next concert entitled Music Popular In Coronation Year on Sunday, June 16, in Haverhill Arts Centre and hope that it will attract the size of audience that such a flourishing society deserves.
It was good to see the society’s numbers so flourishing and capable of tackling such an ambitious and exciting programme.
The opening number reminded us of the most recent royal wedding, in the form of Parry’s Blest Pair Of Sirens. Adrian Marple provided a very confident organ accompaniment for this and the other choral items, exploiting the full range of the splendid instrument.
Jeffrey Dyball, the distinguished harpist, not only contributed to the accompaniments but also provided three charming pieces for harp solo by Tournier.
In Britten’s intriguing Rejoice In The Lamb the cat and mouse solos were ably provided by Isobel Craig and Jeremy Jepson and there was confident singing from the choir.
In Faure’s Cantique De Jean Racine the chorus showed its expressive side and the organ showed its capability for French organ sounds.
The conductor, Jane Wright, deserves special mention for leading the singers confidently through the complex rhythms of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and the chorus managed the Hebrew text very well.
The sopranos handled their part with skill especially as it stayed high in the register for long periods.
Besides organ and harp, accompaniment was also provided by drum kit played by Stephen Moore. Solos were sung by Isobel Craig, Andy Letcher and Alan Davison.
This was all supported by a well-produced programme with very helpful background notes. Afterwards a splendid buffet supper was enjoyed by performers and audience.
I look forward to the Society’s next concert entitled Music Popular In Coronation Year on Sunday, June 16, in Haverhill Arts Centre and hope that it will attract the size of audience that such a flourishing society deserves.
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