Newbury soprano soloist Janet Coxwell impressive in spirited choral concert conducted by Joe Tobin
Newbury Choral Society Autumn Concert
at St John’s Church, Newbury
on Saturday, November 4
Review by DEREK ANSELL
THERE was a full house at St John’s Church for this early evening concert of works by Fauré and Mendelssohn, so anyone desiring a fix of reality television later on would be well pleased.
The choir, accompanied on this occasion by just organ, began with Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, introduced by plangent organ chords.
The choir sang with spirit as conductor Joe Tobin controlled the dynamic flow of the music.
The work was first performed in 1866 in a version accompanied by strings and organ.
On this occasion it worked very well with just the voices and Steve Bowey’s flowing accompaniment.
Next up was Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer, composed in Germany in 1844 and first performed in London in 1845.
Once again the dynamics of the composition were well observed by the choir, coming in with a roar at one point and providing light, gentle voices at others.
Soprano Janet Coxwell was impressive as the soloist, her voice vibrant and powerful in sections of this piece.
On the familiar aria Oh for the wings, for the wings of a dove, she was melodic and lyrical. No need for wings though, she was very well grounded in the music.
Steve Bowey played the last movement of Mendelssohn’s 4th Organ Sonata with careful attention to the structure and rhythm of the composition.
The main part of this concert followed, Fauré’s Requiem, the seven part choral-orchestral setting in D minor.
This shortened version of the Catholic Mass for the Dead in Latin is Fauré’s best known large work.
The choir sang with attention to detail in this powerful composition, quiet and reflective voices where necessary and bigger and bolder when such an approach was needed.
Kieran Rayner sang the baritone solo, his voice deep and resonant.
Janet Coxwell returned to deliver the two soprano solos, her voice rising easily above choir and organ.
Although lacking full orchestral accompaniment on this occasion, this was a well paced, stirring performance by choir and organ, enhanced naturally by the very fine acoustic in St John’s Church.
