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Concert Reviews
Joyful and Triumphant - Concert 12th December 2009
Reviewed by Janet Ferrett (Courtesy of Dorset Echo)
Joyful and triumphant was the order of the day at Weymouth Choral Society's Christmas Concert.
Holy Trinity Church was packed to the rafters, as in former years. The audience was so enthusiastic that applause rang out after every single item - unusual in church performances. Helen Brind conducted a choir in top form. The number of men had increased noticeably and they got up a good fortissimo when on their own. The concert followed the pattern set by King's College Cambridge except that there were no bible readings. Five Dorset Youth Singers opened the concert with a pure and clear first verse to Once in Royal David's City. Later, they performed solo songs and there was some fine coloratura Mozart from soprano Alice Read.
The Thomas Hardye Brass Ensemble under Kevin Penfold performed excellently.
Most carols were well-known, and the audience was allowed to sing for five of them. There were also some more unusual ones mostly by John Rutter.
David Bruce-payne was, as always, impressive both on organ and piano.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening. Well done, Weymouth Choral Society!
Baritone fills leading role with aplomb -
Concert 14th November 2009
Reviiewed by Marion Cox (Courtesy of Dorset Echo)
A concert where the billed baritone, his piano accompanist and the solo flautist fail to turn up due to illness could be a recipe for disaster for any but the most intrepid organisers but none of these challenges got in the way of a great musical evening.
Thanks to the last-minute arrival of locally-based bass baritone James Davis, the singing role was more than amply covered while organist Andrew Wilson performed a number of solo works as well as providing the musical accompaniment.
Faure's Requiem, the main choral work of the concert, was the perfect piece to show off the skills of the singers under the sensitive tutelage of musical director Helen Brind. The melodic piece with its lyrical Sanctus and famous In Paradisum
was beautifully performed and provided a splendid pinnacle to a musical evening to remember.
Although featuring mainly the musical compositions of Gabriel Faure, the addition of Gounod's Ave Maria and Cesar Franck's Panis Angelicus fitted nicely into a concert of mostly sacred music that was never less than satisfying and enriching.
Christmas Concert - 20th December 2008
Reviewed by Marion Cox (Courtesy of Dorset Echo)
'Weymouth Choral Society got the festive season off to a splendidly celebratory start with a concert that was as full as a plum pudding with good things.
Top of the bill by a long way was Peter Dillistone, a local boy soprano with a voice that filled the church with a magical sound with his rendering of Walking in the Air, a special moment indeed.
Solo instrumentalists Angela and Chris Puddick added to the rich tapestry of sound at the concert, under the baton of musical director Helen Brind with David Bruce-Payne and Angela Nankivell accompanying at the organ and piano.
The rousing audience participation during the many carols sung during the evening was indicative of the warm reception the concert received at an event which augurs well for future performances in the coming year.'
A Concert for Peace - The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins -
18th October 2008
Reviewed by Janet Ferrett (Courtesy of Dorset Echo)
This concert at Holy Trinity Church got off to a rousing start with a fanfare from fine trumpeter Winston Leese.
Nine short works celebrating the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who died 50 years ago, followed. Most were choral hymns and motets such as the exquisite O Taste and See, played at the coronation of our present queen, or the joyous Let All The World In Every Corner Sing.
The choir gave an enthusiastic performance under their conductor Helen Brind who, as ever, has the clearest beat in Dorset and a marked rapport with the singers.
The music was varied by four cello solos, beautifully played by Elaine Huntriss, and including the well-loved Greensleeves Fantasia.
The renowned organist Andrew Wilson played more Coronation music by Walton, and Winstone Leese on trumpet played a lively suite by Malcolm Archer.
After the interval, members of the Dorset Youth Singers added variety and sparkle with lovely works by John Rutter and Julie Gold.
And finally came the climax of the evening: Karl Jenkins’ suite, The Armed Man. This is splendid and most moving music and the choir sang their hearts out.
The work opens with a soft, slithery, sinister tune for cello solo – then in comes the choir, voice by voice – subdued drum rolls – organ – trumpet – the sound continues to grow – everyone is sitting up and taking notice – how can they manage to breathe? – and finally the climax, filling the church at maximum volume, God Give Us Strength To Die sung with huge conviction.
A fine performance to finish the evening. Long may the Weymouth Choral Society last.