Review 25 November 2023
| Type of post: | Review |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | Mike Elcock |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Sun, 26 Nov 2023 |
Mendelssohn: Sinfonia No.10 in B minor for strings
Mendelssohn: Zweistimmige Lieder op. 63
Brahms: A German Requiem
When one doesn’t read the programme during the concert you know that the concert itself has been an interesting one. This was the case last night. A delightful programme introducing me to some new Mendelssohn and the familiar Brahms German Requiem although this time in English.
Welcomed into a warm St Mary’s church on a cold night by smiling volunteers on the ticket desk set the scene for an event where people were obviously enjoying themselves either participating or appreciating. The happy string symphony (Mendelssohn’s 10th at the age of 14) continued that feeling. The Thornbury Camerata strings were on form in this delightful symphony, just a pity only one movement remains.
The highlight for me was the Mendelssohn duets. Steven Kings’ orchestral accompaniment was nicely judged and the Camerata were never intrusive, in fact ideal accompanists. Such was the ensemble of the two soloists they appeared to be using the same set of lungs. Their expressive and light vocal sound gave a real sense of enjoyment.
The second half was taken up with the Brahms. I haven’t been to the last couple of concerts but I sense that TCS has a recruited some new members. Steven Kings has good control and a lot of contact with members. This enabled the choir to respond to the dynamics and commit to important passages such as “For all the flesh is grass”. St Mary’s has constraints and perhaps we could have done with a little more sound from basses and tenors who were some way back in the chancel.
The two soloists once again provided lovely interpretations – I sensed that the soprano’s beautiful rendition of “You now are sorrowful” inspired the choir to sing even better when they joined in.
It was good to see a large audience enjoying this concert. Thornbury is lucky to have a large choral society ably led by Steven Kings and run by an enthusiastic and welcoming committee.
Chris Hill
Mendelssohn: Zweistimmige Lieder op. 63
Brahms: A German Requiem
When one doesn’t read the programme during the concert you know that the concert itself has been an interesting one. This was the case last night. A delightful programme introducing me to some new Mendelssohn and the familiar Brahms German Requiem although this time in English.
Welcomed into a warm St Mary’s church on a cold night by smiling volunteers on the ticket desk set the scene for an event where people were obviously enjoying themselves either participating or appreciating. The happy string symphony (Mendelssohn’s 10th at the age of 14) continued that feeling. The Thornbury Camerata strings were on form in this delightful symphony, just a pity only one movement remains.
The highlight for me was the Mendelssohn duets. Steven Kings’ orchestral accompaniment was nicely judged and the Camerata were never intrusive, in fact ideal accompanists. Such was the ensemble of the two soloists they appeared to be using the same set of lungs. Their expressive and light vocal sound gave a real sense of enjoyment.
The second half was taken up with the Brahms. I haven’t been to the last couple of concerts but I sense that TCS has a recruited some new members. Steven Kings has good control and a lot of contact with members. This enabled the choir to respond to the dynamics and commit to important passages such as “For all the flesh is grass”. St Mary’s has constraints and perhaps we could have done with a little more sound from basses and tenors who were some way back in the chancel.
The two soloists once again provided lovely interpretations – I sensed that the soprano’s beautiful rendition of “You now are sorrowful” inspired the choir to sing even better when they joined in.
It was good to see a large audience enjoying this concert. Thornbury is lucky to have a large choral society ably led by Steven Kings and run by an enthusiastic and welcoming committee.
Chris Hill
