Bach Christmas Oratorio

As usual there was a warm welcome and friendly feel to the concert.  It was good to see an almost full house in St Mary’s too.  There was a nicely presented, informative and free programme with enough content to want to take it home and read it – or you could say I enjoyed the music so much I didn’t read the programme during the concert.
TCS took on a shortened version of the Christmas Oratorio (omitting part 3, 5 and a couple of other sections) and pulled it off with aplomb.  The space in St Mary’s compromises layout but from where I was sitting in the right hand side aisle I had a good view and a good balance.  The Thornbury Camerata accompanied the evening with outstanding playing from the continuo cellist and keyboard player.  Their style, accuracy, control and stamina were an example to anyone playing this repertoire. The flute obligato was also a particular treat.

The opening Jauchzet had good verve and energy although personally I missed the central section contrast in this movement.  Herr Wenn showed good control and energy from the choir.  I particularly liked the nicely controlled singing in the chorales. 

Steven Kings and the TCS committee are to be commended for bringing challenging works like these to Thornbury and working to perform such a successful concert.

As you asked me to be objective in the review here are a few things to think about:

The choir sang well throughout but could benefit from looking up a little more.  This would significantly increase volume and engagement with the audience.  Brichan could have done with a little more movement but I suspect this may have been down to the choir not watching.  Singing in German is not easy (but some might say easier than English where there are too many options for vowel sounds!) but maybe some more work on diction.  Even though the audience may not understand it, Bach’s setting of the text provides a character to the music which comes out when the words are clearer.

Chris Hill