Concert Review: December 2006

Our December 2006 performance of the Missa Sancti Nicolai by Josef Haydn, and the Missa sub titulo Sanctae Theresiae by Michael Haydn was reviewed in the Bucks Herald and the review is reproduced here.

Aylesbury Choral Society, under the musical leadership of Peter Leech, has been broadening its repertoire in recent years to include works by little known composers. Last year it was Thomas Linley Junior; on Saturday it was Michael Haydn, younger brother of the famous Joseph; his Sanctae Theresiae Mass was performed alongside Joseph’s more familiar Sancti Nicolai Mass

There are risks in such a strategy – many composers are neglected because their music is not particularly good and audiences are wary of committing themselves to the unfamiliar. Sadly, the Society did pay the price in terms of a smaller than usual audience, which was a great pity, because musically the evening was outstanding

Michael Haydn was demonstrably the equal of his brother, in fact surpassing him in terms of invention and originality in these two works. Both were given superb performances by the choir with excellent professional support by the small Frideswide Ensemble and an accomplished quartet of soloists. The choir is producing a beautifully balanced and blended sound of true choral quality, with no individual voices audible and a well-disciplined ensemble, which was particularly evident in the spirited performance of demanding fugal Amen, sung without assistance from the soloists

For most of both works, the soloists intertwine with the choir and again the balance and blending of sound was well-judged. Each of the soloists were clearly strong performers in their own right but special mention must be made of the soprano, Sarah Best, who carried most of the load in the St.Michael Mass, the part having been written for the Empress Marie Therese. She coped admirably with a demanding role, if occasionally overpowering her top notes (for this listener’s taste). The Frideswide Ensemble, playing period instruments, were ideally suited to this music, supporting solidly and never intrusive

The sequence of two Latin Masses in the one evening was relieved by a brief interval of carol singing by the audience, described as "Fantastic" by conductor Peter Leech (and who am I to disagree!).

The Choir returns to more familiar territory for its next concert, Messiah on March 24^th 2007, again with the Frideswide Ensemble. They would welcome anyone wishing to sing this work; rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from January 2^nd 2007 at Aylesbury Methodist Church at 7.15 p.m.

Charles Vincent
December 11^th 2006

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