The annual Christmas concert by Newbury Choral Society began this year with James Whitbourne's Missa Carolae.
The work, commissioned by Rochester cathedral, the second oldest in England, was to mark the 1,400th anniversary of its foundation. It begins with alto and tenor voices, joined by dark, low vibrating organ chords that in turn bring in the tenors and basses. At the start of this composition a lone piccolo accompanies the singers.
The choir were on good form, bright, vibrant and confident as they went on to sing the Benedictus and Agnus Dei. The former was introduced by a low murmur of the organ and that latter a smooth blend of flute and voices.
This was followed by a solo harp recital of Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) by Mykola Leontovych.
Jenny Broom played this Ukrainian New Year's song with tenderness, the notes ringing out joyfully. Her lines closed with gentle whisper.
A Celebration of Christmas by Karl Jenkins consists of a mixture of traditional music, snatches of carols such as God Rest ye Merry Gentleman and Silent Night. It also has Lullay by Jenkins himself, Go Tell It On The Mountain and the composer's Sleep Child Of Winter. Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony Of Carols began with Procession, sung with high, clear voices by the sopranos.
The second movement Wolcum Yole! is described as an 'upbeat and festive piece,' to welcome the coming season. Conductor Janet Coxwell sang the soprano solo of The Yonge Child with flowing harp accompaniment.
The entire work was sung in bright, rich clarity by the choir with excellent, sympathetic support from Steve Bowie at the organ and piano, Jenny Broom's singing harp and the sonorous flute stylings of Samantha Moore. Freezing Winter Night unintentionally described the conditions outside St Nics on this evening. Steve Bowey gave a strong reading on organ to the Finale of Louis Vierne's First Organ Symphony.
A Merry Little Christmas, compiled by Goff Richards, brought together all those much loved Christmas pops like Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas. Shades of Mel Torme and Bing Crosby. And, of course, Let it Snow, Let it Snow. The programme note mentioned NCS' first concert in 1885. It said that the NWN critic said "the execution of the choruses reflected great credit upon the members of the society and their conductor". I couldn't have put it better!
