The theme of the Aylesbury Choral Society concert performed before a packed St Mary's Church on Saturday March 23 was the forthcoming Golden Jubilee and virtually each piece of music was either written for or performed at a coronation.

Handel's Coronation Anthems of 1727 could scarcely have been left out and although we didn't get the full hand, the eternally popular Zadok the Priest and The King Shall Rejoice were splendidly sung by the choir, while My Heart is Inditing provided the first outing for the four soloists.

The concert began with the National Anthem, which proved to be the main topic of conversation in the interval. It was sung in a version arranged by Benjamin Britten that was different from and much preferable to the regular version.

This was followed by Purcell's I Was Glad, composed for the coronation of James II.

Traditionally an instrumental piece is included in choral concerts to give the choir a break, but there was no such luck for them here as the Handel Organ Concerto that rounded off the first half culminated in an Allelujah Chorus.

Jolly and stately in turns it was excellently performed by the anonymous orchestra and by organist Colin Spinks, a former Aylesburian who is currently Director of Music at St-Mary-Le-Strand.

In the second half we were treated to Mozart's glorious Coronation Mass, originally performed in Prague. This joyful, operatic and short work was well served by the choir and the soloists Susan Gilmour Bailey, Mark J Chambers, Nicholas Watts and Julian Hubbard.

The festive theme was completed by Hubert Parry's grand setting of I Was Glad, composed for the coronation of Edward VII.

Conductor James Burton and the choir are to be congratulated on a thoroughly enjoyable and celebratory programme of music.

Joss O'Kelly

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