Concert Review: June 2007

Our Charity Concert on June 9 was reviewed in the Bucks Herald and the review is reproduced here.

AYLESBURY Choral Society gave their last concert of the season at St Mary’s Church on Saturday June 9. It was very much a concert of two halves with the second part being Faure’s Requiem, while the first half was a pick and mix of shorter works, performed by both the Choral Society and their guests.

The first piece, and the first of two 20th century works written for royal occasions, was Sir William McKie’s We Wait for Thy Loving Kindness, O God, first performed at the marriage of the Queen (to be) and Prince Philip. Its almost medieval spareness was contrasted with Let the People Praise Thee, O God by William Matthias, which was commissioned for the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, a more overtly modern piece. A further contrast came with three fulsomely romantic Brahms songs and it is a tribute to the choir’s versatility that they could move effortlessly between these very different pieces.

There was also a rousing performance of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1, including a singalong Land of Hope and Glory, which was fun.

The choir had two breaks: the first admirably filled by organist Colin Spinks with another work by Brahms. Spinks accompanied the choir throughout in lieu of an orchestra and played splendidly as ever, although I did overhear adverse comments as to the state of St Mary’s Church Organ.

The first part finished with a delightful set from the Turnfurlong Junior School Pop Choir, who sang extremely well and with great confidence.

After delicious strawberries and cream, it was time for the Fauré, a deservedly popular work, beautifully sung. Conductor Peter Leech sang one of the solo sections: the others were given to the choir.

There was a reason for the small scale of this concert: Aylesbury Choral Society wanted to reduce their overheads as all proceeds were going to a most worthwhile cause, The Florence Nightingale Hospice. Not only was this a most enjoyable concert, but also a way of supporting this invaluable local resource.

Joss O’Kelly
June 9 2007

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