Our Last Concert and Review

Our Christmas concert was an informal carol concert with some serious and some frivolous  Christmas songs. The largest work was the Vivaldi Gloria. We were again conducted by Philip Simms. We were joined by Thurlton Primary School choir. The photographs show the choir singing a more formal piece and then enjoying a rousing finale

REVIEW

After three years as conductor of Beccles Choral Society, Sunday saw Philip Simms take his leave of the choir amidst the festive cheer and seasonal jollity of its annual ‘Deck the Halls’ concert.

A spirited performance of Masters in This Hall launched a colourful selection of carols, with highlights that included a tenderly-sung version of Berlioz’s The Shepherds’ Farewell and a vigorous account of Torches, by John Joubert. There were plenty of opportunities for audience singing, which was enthusiastic, and the programme was punctuated with imaginative readings delivered with humour and panache by choir members.

However experienced adult singers may be, children’s voices bring a special quality to carols, and Thurlton Primary School Choir proved the point admirably with their own selection of more modern items. Clearly well-trained, these young musicians paid close attention to their conductor, singing naturally but true and with perfect diction, drawing a delighted response from the audience.

At the heart of the fun came the splendour of Vivaldi’s Gloria, a brave choice without orchestra – especially brass – which provides the celebratory colour, and without soloists too. However the vigour and brightness of Terry Cunnane’s excellent piano accompaniment provided a convincing substitute for the instrumentalists and the choir appeared to enjoy tackling the solo parts en masse. Inevitably perhaps some of the contrast between the work’s twelve movements was lost but a confident opening chorus and closing fugue ensured a thoroughly coherent performance overall.

Donning festive headgear for a high-energy version of The Twelve Days of Christmas and a hugely enjoyable Christmas medley, Beccles Choral Society and its departing director sent a satisfied audience on its way both uplifted and entertained.