Hastings Choral Society Directed by Joseph Christensen Music by Vivaldi and Mozart St Matthew's Church, Hastings Sunday, May 3
This was the choir's first concert for the year, in a programme of contrasted items, with the Vivaldi Gloria the more familiar of the two major items performed.
The choir sang confidently with some finepoints of climax achieved, such as in the opening Gloria and the later Sanctus, and clearly defined and shaped contrapuntal phrases where required. Visiting soloists - soprano Janey MacKenzie and mezzo-soprano Linden Loader - made an important contribution with their well-balanced duo Laudamus te, the elegant shaping of the melody in the soprano solo Domine Deus and the expressive quality shown in the contralto solo Qui sedes ad dexteram.
The choir's performance of the Mozart Vesperae solemnes de Dominica in the second half was one of its strongest performances. The singing sounded assured, stylish and sparkling, with clearly defined balance of the parts in all six sections of the work and moments of effective dynamic shading. Mozart certainly knew how to get the best from the human voice.
The two male soloists - tenor Nigel Tongs and bass Jonathan Eyers - joined the women soloists in this work, all combining effectively as a quartet, or with solo parts, in an integrated, satisfying performance. The soloists were all impressive in their individual solos, with Laudate Dominum, from soprano Janey McKenzie with its extended coloratura runs, a highlight.
The task for pianist Anna Hansen in accompanying the choir was demanding. She gave strong support to the singers throughout, with introductions that clearly established the style of each section.
Joseph Christensen had obviously worked assiduously with the choir to achieve the standard reached in this concert and all should be pleased with the result.
The two male soloists, strongly supported by piano accompanist Susan Melville, each contributed separate solo items - from tenor Michael Tong, very musically aware and sincere singing of Mozart's Songs of Contentment and a secure, but perhaps not quite sufficiently menacing, presentation of Il Mio Tesoro from Don Giovanni.
Bass Jonathan Eyers sang Twilight by Brahms and gave an especially impressive performance of Hey Ho, the Wind and the Rain by Quilter. A bright future seems certain for this talented young musician.
