Classical and Jazz: Latest News > December 2
Published: 2 December, 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
CHORAL societies are out in force over the next week or so, displaying the results of their arduous autumn rehearsals – and it’s not just standard Christmas fare by any means.
The popular North Camden Chorus has a programme of joyous music for choir, brass and organ at its concert at All Hallows, Gospel Oak, on Saturday. Earliest work on the programme is Hodie Christus Natus Este written by Gabrielli in 1591 for the splendid acoustics of St Mark’s, Venice, so the piece should sound just as good in the splendid acoustics of All Hallows.
Two relatively contemporary pieces make up the bulk of the evening’s programme. Joyn Rutter’s lively and jubilant Te Deum, written in 1988, is full of the composer’s ubiquitous rhythms while Bob Chilcott’s gentle Jubilate is full of lyrical melodies, lush harmonies and subtle brass support. Audience participation will no doubt be most rousing in the second half rendering of seasonal carols.
Also giving its Christmas concert on Saturday evening will be the Cholmeley Choral Society. It is singing Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at St Mary Brookfield, helped no doubt by a strong line-up of soloists, soprano Sarah Probert, alto Kate Fun, tenor Christian Forssander and bass Samuel Queen.
On Friday December 10, it’s the turn of the City Chorus singing at St Sepulchre-withou-Newgate. As always, the choral society has put together an interesting programme comprising Mozart’s Missa Brevis in G (K49) and, between the movements of the bass, items from Christmas Responses by Mozart’s friend and colleague Johann Michael Haydn, older brother of Josef Haydn sung by guest soloists.