Review - 10 May 2014

A Choral Triumph

Haydn’s Creation. One of the greats of the classical repertoire. You may have heard it on disc, but what is it like to hear it performed live? If you had gone along as I did to the May concert by Bridgwater Choral Society, I am sure you would have been as bowled over as I was. You don’t have to be an expert to know that this was an outstanding performance by a choir of which the town can be justifiably proud. In the atmospheric setting of St Mary’s Church it was especially enthralling.

What was so great and enjoyable? The three soloists had strong voices and blended perfectly in their duos and trios. The recitative ‘And God said: Let there be Light’ was sensitively sung by the tenor Daniel Joy, and both the bass Martin Hassler and the soprano Charlotte Newstead gave powerful renditions of their solos. The choir, which has achieved an almost professional poise and balance, performed the much-loved chorus ‘The heavens are telling’ beautifully.

The orchestra, ably led by Brigid Kirkland-Wilson, put on an expressive performance, their playing full of colour. Haydn’s orchestration paints powerful pictures of the birth of the world - the sunrise, and the coming into being of animals, including fierce lions and slithery worms. When the drum pounded and the trumpets sounded the overall sound was breath-taking.

The concert was a huge success, and conductor Iain Cooper, the choir, singers, and players were given three curtain calls by a delighted audience.

Bridgwater Choral Society deserves our enthusiastic support, so make sure you go along to their next concert on Saturday 6th December, which includes music by Elgar and Rutter. I’ll be there!