St Andrews Chorus, Younger Hall, by Garry Fraser

Haydn was something of a magician. His 104 symphonies and countless chamber works apart, his choral writing can be compared with the great JS Bach

However, when it comes to The Seasons, it’s his ability to turn over-sentimentalised lyrics into a work that gives pleasure to all that makes him one of the greatest composers.

Juicy choruses, gracefully-phrased recits and arias and an orchestration that captures the mood of each season perfectly.

All these merits shone through during the performance on Saturday night in the Younger Hall by the excellent St Andrews Chorus. It’s a work ideally suited to such an ensemble, with plenty of involvement and an extremely tuneful score.

Haydn adopts a three-soloist format, as with The Creation, and such is his ensemble writing it negates the need for a mezzo or alto, especially if the trio are of the calibre of Jessica Leary (soprano) Jamie MacDougall (tenor) and bass Orlando Mason. Their delivery was excellent, with crisp and clear recits and soaring arias.

With the backing of only a chamber-sized orchestra, the chorus came over loud and clear, and there was more than one indication of a wellschooled choir.

There were some fugal moments that might not have been as confidently attacked as others, but the balance was good, the diction fine and the overall shape secure.

Conductor Michael Downes has a fine choir at his disposal but he also has an excellent orchestra at hand, the Heisenberg Ensemble. Note perfect throughout, such a unit is indispensable for any chorus, under-pinning their performance with accomplished skill and musicality.