Coming face-to-face with Duruflé on a rainy winter's night needs some courage. He breaks with all cherished notions of harmony and, under the harsh security lighting strung up in the ceiling of St Nic's, Newbury Choral Society's finest took him on undaunted.

I use the military image to express Leo Hussain's style of conducting – forceful and imperious. Messe cum Jubilo came thundering over the horizon in a full frontal unison singing, no compromise, and not a Merry Gentlemen in sight. Instead, a fearsome Kyrie, with all the tension and anxiety that these words imply.

The harmonic structure is given to the organ commanded by Mark Williams (another of these crafty young men from Cambridge). His part was complex and subtle, for unison singing is very difficult. He has, therefore, to lead and follow.

The choristers are faced with many odd entries against the organ which require counting in millimetres rather than yards and feet.

Leo Hussain in concert with the chorus master, Janet Coxwell, steered their brigades well, so much so that I hope to be allowed to sing with the choir in their forthcoming (much easier) Matthew Passion. Stark and brutalist, Duruflé met the rich and warm baritone of Adam Green, a very good choice of soloist to set off this veritable iceberg – cum jubilo or not – of a mass.

Warming up a bit more, The Ladies Group took the stand in A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. The choir began their Procession from the back, so we had the pleasure of hearing their individual voices and the results of Janet Coxwell's coaching as they filed up. Passionate and sensitive, they kept up a very graceful momentum through this interesting programme. There is No Rose shared best piece award with Spring Carol, fresh and attractive – not Christmassy at all.

The second part was introduced by Mark Williams who, before we had time to notice, concocted a little impromptu plum pudding of carols and traditional Christmas themes to launch Good King Wenceslas, with which warm-footed monarch the audience were invited to tune in.

With a high proportion of choral singers present in the pews, we gave back as good as we got. Leo Hussain quickly took control of this less-disciplined flock and we all stormed out into the foul night warmed by his generous approval.

Look out for their St Matthew Passion in the spring (April 5)