Society’s novel programming strikes just the right chord (Dec 2010)

THIS year’s Christmas concert at St Mary’s Church, Henley, presented by Henley Choral Society under music director Will Dawes, departed refreshingly from the norm with its successful introduction of “sets”.

The first of these comprised Personent Hodie (arr.Holst), Wie Schön Leuchtet Der Morgenstern by Nicolai (arr. Bach), an organ solo by Buxtehude of the same title and Mendelssohn’s When Jesus Our Lord (Christus).

Personent Hodie had a strong melodic line which Holst’s arrangement enveloped in a rich texture; the Bach, a classic chorale, was beautifully sung and the Buxtehude faultlessly played by Ben Giddens. The Mendelssohn was divine, made all the more so by a fabulous men’s trio (including Will Dawes) and the choir’s lyrical phrasing and clear diction. What further confirmation is needed of Mendelssohn’s importance in the choral repertoire?

The traditional As With Gladness Men Of Old revived fond memories for many. It was followed by the choir of Trinity School, directed by Maureen Smith. Wendy Hawkins was the main accompanist, with Silent Night accompanied by one of the pupils, who was surprisingly unfazed by such a large audience. TheHolly And The Mistletoe was their chance to break into well-worked harmony, while Give Granny A Kiss For Christmas and Xmas Crackers were humorously sung, the latter also amusingly choreographed.

The second “set” was entirely Bach-centred: a chorale, Vom Himmel Hoch, eloquently harmonised by Will Dawes and nicely performed; Canonic variations on Vom Himmel Hoch for solo organ, demonstrating not only Bach’s keyboard genius but Ben Giddens’ finger work, co-ordination and great sense of tempo; and the beautiful, if short-lived, Ach, Mein Herzliebes Jesulein.

Tradition returned with the audience carol A Great And Mighty Wonder and, for choir only, A child Is Born In Bethlehem by Samuel Scheidt. If Mendelssohn was the highlight of the first set, then the Scheidt was the centrepiece of the second — lots of accurate and well-controlled high soprano, and challenging refrains for all other sections.

Then followed yet another interesting choice: John Rutter’s Brother Heinrich’s Christmas, replete with oboe (Howard Rogers), a saxophone to represent the donkey in the story, played by Helen Norris, and a narration delivered by Ian Beyts. All three were excellent, adding character to a piece already oozing interest and wit. Its In Dulci Jubilo theme was subsequently hijacked for fuller treatment in RL Pearsall’s brilliant arrangement, featuring courageous solos, a rich and rounded full choir sound and a gorgeous ending.

A quick romp through Hark The Herald Angels Sing and it would have been wine and mince pies all round but for the intervention of the choir’s entertaining encore, written by a member to record the constant battle between music director and chorus. No prizes for guessing who won.

The society continues to improve under the demanding influence of Will Dawes and is really starting to gel as a unit. An experiment with splitting up the four voices worked, albeit one imagines less comfortably for inexperienced score readers (not that it showed). The usual blocks of sound were conspicuously absent, resulting in a more even texture. The evening’s menu was thematically consistent, cleverly balanced and a clear vindication of experimental programming.

Extending the Christmas concert’s Germanic theme into 2011, HCS’s next concert on March 5 couples Brahms’s German Requiem with Elgar’s From The Bavarian Highlands, for which they will be joined by the Leichlingen Kantorei from Henley’s twin town.

Singers interested in joining HCS should call the Membership Secretary on (01491) 576929.

Trevor Howell
Henley Standard
Thu, 30/12/2010