REVIEW

WEYMOUTH CHORAL SOCIETY

MOZART: REQUIEM

ST JOHN’S CHURCH, GREENHILL, WEYMOUTH

THE spring concert proved to be Weymouth Choral's finest performance this millennium. The first half of the programme featured solos from three highly talented members of the Wessex Youth Orchestra.

All three young musicians have played in previous concerts for the Society. Charlotte Ballard’s performance of CPE Bach’s Flute Sonata in G major created an enchanting start to the evening and she received warm applause from audience and society alike. Joe Lyndley’s performance of Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in Bb Major elevates his talent and expertise to an entirely high new level for one so young. The first half ended with Hannah McFarlane and the first movement from Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major. The audience watched spell bound as Hannah took complete control of this dramatic and challenging movement. Weymouth Choral has seen this young lady grow in confidence and it is good to see how the society nurtures young talent. Duncan Honeybourne provided exquisite and sensitive piano accompaniment throughout this first half of the programme.

The second half of the programme was Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor, a cornerstone of the choral repertoire showcasing his unique melodic and harmonic genius. Playing to a full house, conductor Helen Brind garnered vocal and instrumental forces under her firm direction to produce this monumental work with polish, precision and dramatic intensity. Soloists Caroline Thomas (soprano), Emily James (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Morris (tenor) and Jonathan Prentice (Bass) brought dynamic emotion and expression to the wonderful sound of the Aliquando Ensemble. Together with the choir’s stirring expression in all choral passages, this was a truly outstanding concert.

*The Society's next concert will be The Spectacular Tea and Cakes Concert featuring local young musicians including the Thomas Hardye Folk Music Ensemble on Saturday, June 8, 2.30 pm at All Saints School, Weymouth.

ANGIE ELLIOTT