Concert Review: December 2009

Our Concert on 12th December was reviewed in the Bucks Herald and the review is reproduced here.

AYLESBURY Choral Society returned to Aylesbury College for their Christmas concert on Saturday December 12.

They began with a performance of Britten's St Nicholas for which they were joined by tenor Joseph Cornwell as Nicholas, a group of talented students from Aylesbury Grammar School - one of whom, Jacob Godivala, sang the part of the young Nicholas – and the Chameleon Arts Orchestra.

Joseph Cornwell is a regular performer with the choir and his characterisation of the devout and miracle-working saint, was excellent.

One of the more bizarre miracles involved raising three boys who were not merely dead, but had been pickled by a butcher during a time of famine - which seems a long way from his present incarnation as a dispenser of good cheer and gifts to children!

St Nicholas is an extraordinary work that intertwines the voices of the adult and boys’ choirs and, in a particularly effective passage describing his death, the choir and the soloist.

The second part of the concert turned to carols – some familiar ones for audience participation, interspersed with delightful settings of old carols by 20th century composers.

In honour of the 250th anniversary of the death Handel, there was also a rousing rendition of the Hallelujah chorus, for which conductor Peter Leech invited audience members to join the choir – a dozen or more did and the result was splendid!

As ever, Aylesbury Choral Society sang magnificently and it was a particular delight to hear several choir members singing unaccompanied solos in one of the carols.

The concert was sponsored by Allan Westray, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and included a most enjoyable reception, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Pace Centre.