The BSO and Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, under the direction of veteran choral conductor Simon Halsey, performed a lush rendition of Brahms' contemplative Ein Deutsches Requiem at the Lighthouse in Poole on Wednesday night.
The choir was out in full force giving the required depth to those fugues and other colourful passages which required such treatment, yet still maintaining the lightest touch in the music's more sensitive parts, blending well with the orchestra throughout.
Bass David Soar, last seen at the Lighthouse in last year's season launching production of Strauss' Salome, proved an apt choice as soloist with a controlled yet stirring rendition of the third movement's passionate plea for respite.
Yesterday's concert opened with a performance of Mozart's early cantata Exsultate Jubilate, with a seemingly effortlessly elegant delivery by soprano Sarah Tynan.
I might have preferred to have fewer instruments on stage for this - the concert hall's dry acoustic is trying for vocal soloists, particularly when they are set at the front of the stage - but that minor quibble aside it was a fine performance of a popular piece as well as the perfect appetiser for Brahms' masterpiece.
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