MUSIC REVIEW by GARRY FRASER

IT MIGHT have been late in starting, but the wait was worth it.

Concerts by the St Andrews Chorus don’t normally attract so many but a huge chorus generated huge interest and thus the Younger Hall was packed for their spring concert on Saturday.

The pairing of music by Paul Mealor and Beethoven isn’t a usual combination but the former gave the chorus much to contemplate, with the latter proving a tough test for the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra.

However, both rose to the challenges, and to say they gave a good account of themselves is something of an understatement.

With his Cricif ixus, Mealor again demonstrated his knack for combining modern technique with good old-fashioned and deep-layered harmony.

I found the opening introit slightly drawn out, but if Mealor was looking for an atmospheric start he got it.

The chorus showed excellent discipline in the unaccompanied Drop, Drop, Slow Tears and bass Ben McAteer was authoritative in his delivery, be it plainsong or otherwise.

However it was the collaboration of orchestra — with leader Feargus Herthington playing a starring role — soloist and chorus that made this deep-felt and moving work a thoroughly enjoyable experience, despite a lack of clarity during the full orchestra passages.

With regard to the Beethoven (an unusual work for a choral society to choose), I would question conductor Michael Downes’choice of tempi.

Taking the scherzo at steady pace bore sense due to its severity but the opening was just too “maestoso” and even the slow movement could have flowed more.

However, he got a marvellous response from his charges, with only the wind section showing any real signs of strain and the four soloists, in particular McAteer and Jamie MacDougall, projected well over the orchestra.

But the work’s crowning glory is the full chorus and orchestra tuttis, and in these due credence was given to Beethoven’s, and Schiller’s, call for joy.