Viva la Musica were in fine voice

IN THE Christmas song ‘Tis the season to be jolly’ there is the line ‘Sing we joyous all together’ which sums up Viva la Musica’s “O Holy Night” carol concert at Loughborough’s Trinity Methodist Church Centre on December 15.

There are so many carol concerts in December that it is almost impossible to single out any which stand out from the rest unless it is one as brilliantly programmed as this was and sung so effectively by one of the leading choirs in the region.

Viva la Musica, under their conductor Simon Lumby, proved themselves to be an intensely musical and well-balanced group unfazed by the sheer variety and complexity of the music they were performing. Their presentation was helped by finely tuned intonation, a wide dynamic range, excellent diction and a real sense of style for whichever period the music came from.

The music encompassed Christmas pieces from the Renaissance to the present day, the latter featuring several ubiquitous settings by Mr Christmas himself: John Rutter.

Three compositions by a local composer were also included.

Appropriately chosen seasonal readings gave the choir well-earned rests. There were many a cappella pieces but the most joyous items were those accompanied by the stalwart organist Michael Overbury with sterling support from Leighton Mead on guitar and drums.

The choir will be seen next when it presents its ‘Sacred & Profane’ concert at the Guildhall, Leicester on March 21 and back in Loughborough at the Parish Church on May 16 for a concert of music by Purcell.

M.D.C.