Harpenden Choral Society
   Registered charity 275986
President: Hon. Alderman Chris Oxley

ALL SMILES FOR SUMMER

‘Music for a Summer Evening’ was presented by Harpenden Choral Society in High Street Methodist Church on Saturday evening (18th June).

A slightly smaller audience than the choir usually attracts was nonetheless enthusiastic in their response. In an evening devoted to the Cathedral composers Parry, Howells, Bainton and Balfour Gardiner, contrasted with pieces “ex cathedra” by such as Stanford, Vaughan Williams, Parry, Pearsall, Gibbons and Morley, the choristers provided an engaging account of music spanning almost four centuries.

The bold organ introduction to I was Glad had the choir hard at work from the very start. The section ‘O pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ was particularly effective. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Collegium Regale, followed.  Lofty and grand in structure, a strong sound was made throughout. Occasionally diction lacked clarity, but a secure semi-chorus and a triumphant Gloria was supported by rich, earthy harmonic progressions which made for enjoyable listening.

Organist Nick Bland accompanied well, particularly in And I saw a New Heaven. Packed full of word painting, the piece imaginatively invoked all the emotions. Evening Hymn allowed the choir to demonstrate its dynamic versatility in this (Compline like) plainsong meditation on the closing of the day.

A sonorous bass line contrasted beautifully with crystal clear soprano interjections “blue” in The Blue Bird.  Diction and intonation in this unaccompanied half of the concert was commendable. The “ding dongs” in Full Fathom Five caught my attention immediately. The Cloud-Capp’d Towers had a lovely mysterious ending. Over Hill, Over Dale had rhythmic vibrancy and it fairly scampered along.

Music, When Soft Voices Die once again brought wonderfully lush low notes from the basses. The tingling suspensions and dense harmony in Lay a Garland were well projected, with only tiny concerns with intonation. My favourite, The Silver Swan with its “hissing” and eerie false relations was a gem.

Introduced by the choir’s highly accomplished and erudite conductor John Andrews, the evening concluded with Morley’s My Bonnie Lass and Now is the Month of Maying. Both were full of rhythmic impetus, and indeed impishness! We all left with a smile, and a feeling of satisfaction for this challenging performance!

Neil Buick Herts Advertiser 23rd June 2011

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SOCIETY IMPRESSES

High Street Methodist Church was the venue for Harpenden Choral Society’s concert on Saturday (19th March) where, supported by talented soloists and excellent playing by The Kings Sinfonietta, the performances were rivetingly impressive throughout.

A big sing for the choir, they surpassed themselves with clear attention to dynamics, diction and ensemble.

Handel’s Coronation Anthems comprises four anthems written in 1727 for the Coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline and naturally extrovert in style, were interspersed with three readings from the Coronation service.

Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened was exuberant, Zadok the Priest, my favourite, zinged along merrily and The King Shall Rejoice was energetic and high praise to the trumpets. My Heart Is Inditing was very florid and concluded the first half most satisfyingly.

Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture followed and allowed the superb orchestra to flourish. Full of many contrasting effects, this was a superlative performance.

The choir was joined by soloists Claire Watkins, soprano, Lise Christensen, mezzo soprano, and Michael Bracegirdle, tenor, who all sang impeccably.

The Cantata from Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise is a melange of choruses, solos and duets. While All men, all things was very exciting and very loud, Praise thou the Lord was gentle and poignant.

Sing ye praise was strongly sung and All ye that cried unto the Lord was beautifully contrasted with the intensity of I waited for the Lord.

The sorrows of death was very dramatic and menacing while The night is departing both thrilling and scary was followed by Let all Men praise the Lord based on the famous Lutheran chorale Now thank we all our God.

The charming My song shall alway be Thy mercy brought the concert to its finale with Ye nations offer to the Lord, the biggest sing of this fantastic evening. John Andrews conducted with his usual panache and was firmly in command.

Neil Buick Herts Advertiser 24th March 2011

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GERMAN TOUCH FOR CHRISTMAS ORATORIO

The Evangelist tells the story of Christ from birth to his naming as Jesus. In 1734 J.S. Bach set it to music with arias, recitatives and choruses titled the Christmas Oratorio.  On Saturday, Harpenden Choral Society performed the work to a large and appreciative audience in the Parish Church of St. Nicholas Harpenden.

The choir sang in German which was a challenge, but well achieved. Of the five choruses based on Lutheran hymn tunes popular in the early 1700’s, I was impressed by the bright and jubilant “Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen” [No.64] (The triumph is completed). Seven more elaborate and lengthy choruses demanded great concentration and stamina, which the choir executed extremely well. The tenors didn’t quite cope in “Ehre sei dir, Gott” [No.43] (Glory be to God) but this was a big sing for the choir. Bach is unforgiving when writing extended semiquaver passages, and watching the conductor was difficult for some on occasion.  Intonation was very good throughout, and the choir excelled in “Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben” [No.54] (Lord when our haughty foes assail us). A highlight for me was “Wo is der neugeborne König der Jüden?” [No. 45] (O where is he), linked to “Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt” [No.46] (Thy splendour drives). Splendid stuff!

The King’s Sinfonietta accompanied with aplomb.  Soloists Mary Nelson soprano, Richard Scott countertenor, Stuart Haycock tenor and James Gower baritone with Roger Carter organ, were flawless. High praise to John Andrews who, as usual, conducted with flair.  The Society gave a most enjoyable account of the story.  They should be applauded.

Neil Buick Herts Advertiser 8th December 2011
(German text inserted by Webmaster)