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May 10th 2008 review as follows:-
THORNBURY ARTS FESTIVAL
CONCERT BY THORNBURY CHORAL SOCIETY
“BEYOND THE DANUBE”
In the Armstrong Hall on Saturday evening, Thornbury Choral Society under their conductor Stephen Kings presented an imaginative programme of music from Eastern Europe entitled “Beyond the Danube”. We certainly moved immediately to the idioms of that part of Europe with the first work, which was an extended setting of the Lord’s Prayer by the Moravian composer Janacek. It was accompanied by harp and organ, sensitively played by Katherine Thomas and Peter King respectively. The tenor soloist was Pavel Michael Josifek.
The work came vividly to life with the powerful choral entries, evoking the sounds of a Russian choir, most notably in “Give us this day our daily Bread” which was in the form of a vigorous peasants’ dance. The choir is to be complimented on singing in Czech clearly enough for the words to be followed in the programme.
The idiom of Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly’s Missa Brevis was still very Eastern European, but the choir were splendidly confident and gave a most effective performance of this striking work. It began and ended with a dramatic organ solo highlighting Peter King’s outstanding playing, which also underwrote the music of the whole evening. The chorus “Et resurrexit” was splendidly powerful, and the almost Austrian style of part of the Credo was captured admirably.
Bohemian born Anton Dvorak’s Mass in D was the final work, and was less obviously Eastern European. Nicely complementing the choir, the soloists were Laurie Gethin, Caroline Lowe, Pavel Josifek and Tom Bates. The chorus gave a steady and confident build-up to the dramatic climaxes, producing joyous moments in the Gloria, and a brilliant “Hosanna in excelsis” in the Sanctus.
November 24th 2007
Thornbury Choral society are to be congratulated on their refreshing
choice of programme for the late Autumn concert, held on Saturday
evening in the Castle School. The first work was Kurt Weill’s “Happy
End”, set in Chicago at the time of night-clubs, gangsters and the
Salvation Army. The music is a witty pastiche of many styles, including
Jazz Bands, evangelical hymns and Gershwin. The words are equally sharp,
and include some enjoyably racy passages!
The Choir had the wonderful asset of Elizabeth Glen as soprano soloist,
who tackled the demanding parts (everything from the Gangster’s Moll to
the Salvation Army) with clarity and infectious enthusiasm, and spot-on
intonation – a memorable performance. The choir had a relatively minor
part to play, more a Greek Chorus than a full choral part. However our
enjoyment of the performance was marred by the gross over-enthusiasm of
the accompanying jazz band, which generated an acoustic fog so thick it
was extremely difficult to follow the all-important words, even those
from the accomplished soloist
The second work was Benjamin Britten’s cantata “Saint Nicolas”, and from
the opening notes of this highly original work it was clear that all was
well. Conductor Steven King had the large orchestra (led by Robert
Chadwick) totally under control, including the all-important and very
competent percussion section. Tenor soloist Lynton Atkinson dealt with
the challenges admirably, and the choir sang comfortably and confidently
as though this work was in their regular repertoire. A thoroughly
convincing performance.
Colourful highlights included the “Journey to Palestine”, with a violent
storm at sea eventually abating – the music even depicts the stars
coming into view. Also of course the famous “Pickled Boys” movement, in
which St Nicolas brings back to life three murdered boys – there was a
charming contribution from three very young choristers. The work
unusually includes audience participation in the form of two hymns – it
was an added pleasure to sing these with their fine choral and
orchestral settings.
May 19th 2007 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Sir Edward Elgar
Concert
All members of the Thornbury Choral Society can be proud of the feast of
music-making with which they delighted us at the Castle School on
Saturday. Under the skilled direction of their conductor, Steven Kings,
and accompanied by an orchestra of high quality, ably led by Robert
Chadwick, they performed a demanding programme (Brahms’ "Song of
Destiny", Vaughan Williams’ "Towards the Unknown Region", and Elgar’s
"The Music Makers") with enthusiasm, confidence, and real musicianship.
The contrasted moods of the "Song of Destiny" were well portrayed, and a
good balance with the large orchestra was immediately achieved, with the
words being clearly enunciated.
A polished and well-sprung performance of Elgar’s "Serenade for String
Orchestra" was notable for its pleasingly Elgarian string sound.
The emotional content of Walt Whitman’s poem "Towards the Unknown
Region" as set to music by Vaughan Williams, was expressed with great
feeling both through the choir’s control of its dynamics and through the
rapture to which the women’s voices gave full expression.
More highlights were achieved in Elgar’s "The Music Makers". Susan Marrs
made an ideal contralto soloist, and the choir’s hushed accompaniment of
her in the final stanza brought this Elgar 150th anniversary concert to
a fitting conclusion.
November 25 th 2006 – 250 th Anniversary of the Birth of Mozart Celebration Concert
To celebrate the 250 th Anniversary of Mozart’s birth, Thornbury Choral Society gave a most enjoyable and very well attended concert on Saturday evening in the Castle School. The opening work was the well-known Serenade for Strings Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, which was given a crisp performance by the orchestra, led by Bob Chadwick.
The main work of the first half was Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, the Vespers being set to music which is mostly far from solemn! The choir was joined by a fine set of soloists, Diana Gilchrist, Susan Mackenzie-Park, Lynton Atkinson and Jonathan Prentice. The choral fugue in Laudate Pueri came across well, but elsewhere the singing was perhaps somewhat over-subdued. The highlight was the searingly beautiful Laudate Dominum, exquisitely sung by Diana Gilchrist, with a sensitive accompaniment by the choir.
The second orchestral work was Haydn’s Funeral Symphony. Much less familiar than the first item in the concert, and the more interesting for that reason, it received a splendid performance, dashing and characterful. That phrase well describes the spirited way conductor Stephen King directed the chorus, orchestra and soloists in Mozart’s Coronation Mass. Vigorous, colourful, good dynamics, fireworks where required, and a beautiful calm end in the Agnus Dei with lovely controlled singing by the soprano soloist. The capacity audience once again had an excellent evening – Thornbury is fortunate to have such an able and enthusiastic Choral Society.
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