Musical experience of quality and warmth (Feb 2009)

Henley Standard Review February 2009

On 7th February, Henley’s St Mary’s Church played
host to the Henley Choral Society and a musical
experience as exciting as you’d get at any major
London venue. Their programme was mainly
Haydn: Miss Brevis (Little Organ Mass) and Missa
in Angustiis (Nelson Mass), two Torelli
Brandenburg Concertos and J S Bach’s Wir Danken
Dir. The audience was quick to warm to the sheer
quality of the participants: an on-form choir and
Musical Director, Will Dawes, four outstanding
soloists, an impeccable chamber organist and a
dream chamber orchestra, Charivari Agréable
Simfonie, directed by Kah-Ming Ng.
Haydn’s Missa Brevis was frenetically polyphonic,
but the choir held it all brilliantly together. They
sang expressively, especially in the Credo, with
well-paced crescendos and diminuendos, a solid
bass line and effective, repeated Amens. An organ
solo, played delightfully by David Smith,
announced the Benedictus and soprano Elizabeth
Weisberg. Her impeccable singing was punctuated
with incisive entries, crystal-clear high notes and a
controlled vibrato that came and went with the
changing moods. The closing Agnus Dei’s choral
texture was sumptuous. At all times the orchestra
was discreet, never overwhelming.
Choirs and soloists can be unsettled by their
orchestral accompaniment, notoriously horns and
brass, but no such qualms about the Charivari, who
are as reliable as any singer could wish for. If they
were technically competent in the Haydn, we
marvelled at their true capabilities in the two Torelli
Brandenburg concertos. Exquisitely performed,
these exemplified the best of Baroque style, where
the string is stroked by arched bows, without
pressure or left-hand vibrato, resulting in purity of
sound and heightened sensitivity to phrasing and
colour. Especially memorable was the second
adagio of the F major Brandenburg, with hints of
Vivaldi’s Winter glistening through.
The Bach Cantata continued to bring out the best in
the choir. Danken Wir, normally associated with
Bach’s B Minor Mass, was beautifully sung,
reaching a glorious climax. The Hallelujah was a
great platform for tenor Thomas Hobbs,
accompanied by solo strings and directed from the
harpsichord. Tone and volume were just right, and
he sustained an energetic pulse throughout. A bassbaritone
aria resounded authoritatively with James
Oldfield’s rich timbre, while Lucie Spickova’s
opening mezzo-soprano aria was an object lesson in
tone production and control.
The second half was taken up with Haydn’s Nelson
Mass, this later title reflecting a celebratory angle
connected with Horatio Nelson, while the original
expressed anxiety about Napoleon’s advance on
Austria. It opened with the Kyrie, a well delivered,
forceful chorus with powerful solo soprano
interjections. Then followed some outstanding bass/
tenor duets and solo quartets in the Gloria, while the
Qui Tollis heralded another convincing bassbaritone
moment. The choir whispered tellingly to
organ accompaniment, Elizabeth Weisberg soared
skywards with effortless pitch and David Smith
made ingenious use of his stops. Et Incarnatus Est, a
fabulous movement, opened with a luscious
orchestral introduction. The soprano, again
dominant, eventually gave way to a solo quartet.
Other highlights included the choir’s sensitive
Sanctus and the Benedictus’s stunning music with
its outstanding orchestral support, while in the
Agnus Dei, mezzo-soprano Lucie Spickova took
centre-stage, acquitting herself with consummate
style.
It is impossible to do justice to all elements of the
performance. Suffice to say that, if, like HCS, you
aspire to perfection across the board, no expense
spared, even down to choreographing the bouquets,
the synergistic effect on performance can be
breathtaking. We therefore look ahead with
excitement to HCS’s next concert on Saturday 20th
June and its celebration of the anniversaries of
Mendelssohn and Purcell. Don’t forget to book
early. For membership enquiries, please call Wendy
Hawkins on 01491 576929.

Source: Henley Standard
Date: Mon, 02/02/2009