Newbury Chamber Choir's promising future with new conductor

Newbury Chamber Choir: Music for Eastertide at St John's Church, Newbury on Saturday, April 9. Review by FIONA BENNETT

FIRST he was, then he wasn’t. Then he wasn’t, then he was and then, he did! The redoubtable Ed Lambert has finally handed over the Newbury Chamber Choir baton to someone else. And not just any old someone else, but a very young someone with an already impressive track record under his belt.

Ben de Souza is not only a choral conductor, but also a singer and, believe it or not, a classical accordionist. He boasts a lovely, calm, very followable beat and it was a joy to see how he has already gelled with NCC.

There was no applause, no great ‘look at me’ entrance, just some quiet footsteps approaching the podium, hands raised, making sure every choir member was looking at him and then we were drawn straight into the Easter story with Antonio Lotti’s Crucifixus for 6 voices. St John’s acoustic lent itself well to this short piece and with just two days’ notice, Steve Bowey accompanied the choir beautifully on the chamber organ. Get well soon, Georgie.

Ben then introduced himself and the following three pieces, two of which were by another of the great Renaissance composers, Palestrina, and then another by Lotti. We wept with Mary Magdalene as she searched for Jesus, we rejoiced with the Virgin Mary when Jesus rose from the dead; we really were swept along on the Easter journey in this well-balanced programme.

We then heard music by contemporary composer Gabriel Jackson. I first met Gabriel when we were both 18 and studying respectively at the Royal College of Music and Guildhall; we lived at Henry Wood House in south London and became good pals, so it was thrilling to hear his emotive piece Tantum ergo. Singing a cappella is always a challenge and the pitch sank slightly, but when I tweeted Gabriel to let him know I was listening to his gorgeous music, he was delighted.

The second half consisted of Lotti’s Missa pro defunctis and once again, the choir gave us a nicely balanced sound. Some strong tenor lines were nicely enriched when the basses joined them at the opening of the Kyrie. The sopranos floated beautifully over the top and the alto section’s warm depth was nicely complementary.

As I left St John’s, I looked back and marvelled at the beautiful windows, lit from within and I set off home, feeling uplifted and calm.

I look forward to great things from this new union – well done Ben and well done Newbury Chamber Choir.