2011

Express & Star: November 2011

Support Through the Ages

Wolverhampton Chamber Choir

St Michael's, Tettenhall

By Jerald Smith

Saturday's Concert demonstrated how music from widely differing times and composers supports the concept of Remembrance. The main offering was Durufle's Requiem which is based on the ancient melodies of the Gregorian Mass for the dead, but performed here with sophisticated modern harmonies.

Choral discipline was impressive through the performance and the pure sound of the sopranos and altos was simply exquisite. Conductor Geoffrey Weaver ensured that the vocal lines were secure and the words crystal clear, organist Tim Harper provided a splendid accompaniment, while Christopher Weaver and Jo Christie gave good accounts of their solo contributions.

in Lotti's Crucifixus the choir showed excellent vocal dynamics and control, and there was also an impressive account of Pablo Casals' O Vos Omnes.

Express & Star: Monday 3rd April 2011

Big task extremely well done

Kidderminster Choral/Wolverhampton Chamber Choir

Kidderminster town Hall

By Jerald Smith

Bob Chilcott has a reputation as a great composer of large-scale choral works and his 2009 Salisbury Vespers may become a standard in future – if the necessary resources can be assembled.

Saturday’s performance had Kidderminster Choral Society, Wolverhampton Chamber Choir, Wyre Forest Young Voices and the Elgar Sinfonia – nearly 250 singers and musicians.

There are settings of Psalms interspersed with Marian Motets and a rich, multipart Magnificat to end, but these ancient texts are accompanied by driving modern rhythms.

Conductor Geoffrey Weaver kept this enormous and demanding work fully focused. Particularly praiseworthy was the fact that each of the choirs managed to make their voices totally distinctive throughout the account.