REVIEW: Hope! Joy! Celebration! at St Mary’s Twyford

TWYFORD Singers performed another inspirational concert to mark their 60th anniversary year, which has the theme Hope! Joy! Celebration!

With no external singers or musicians, the talents of many choir members were displayed in solos, quartets and small ensembles, as well as in the full choir, in a varied programme for the Palm Sunday concert.

The performance was conducted by the choir’s musical director, Helen Styles, and accompanied by Judith Creighton, and held at St Mary’s Church in Twyford.

Celia Reinbolt’s solo of the Gloria, Laus et Honor refrain opened the concert. She was then joined by the full choir. The early ninth-century hymn was arranged for the anniversary concert by Simon Rigby, a former musical director of the choir.

Then came extracts from John Stainer’s oratorio The Crucifixion, and J H Maunder’s cantata Olivet to Calvary.

Both works tell the account of the week leading to Jesus’ crucifixion. The story’s emotions were well-expressed, ranging from the celebration of the entry into Jerusalem in Stainers’ Fling wide the gates and Maunders’ Hosannas; through the angry cries of Crucify, Crucify; to Jesus’ poignant plea in Stainer’s Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?.

In Maunder’s In the Temple, Peter Jennings and Andy Bull took solo parts, with Peter narrating and Andy voicing Jesus’ indignation at the use of the Temple, before the expressive appeal of Sarah Fulton-Urry’s solo.

Peter’s meditative solo of Maunder’s Ye Who Sin and Ye Who Sorrow, was followed by Danny Walsh voicing Pilate’s dilemma, Shall I Crucify Your King?.

In some of the hymns, Peter, Andy and Danny were joined in quartets by Judy Hallinan, Kathryn le Coz and Ann Pearce.

The choir sang Thomas Tallis’s sixteenth-century motet If Ye Love Me, softly and beautifully, unaccompanied.

Congratulations to Helen Styles on creating an interesting and varied programme, and for coaxing a highly commendable performance from the choir.

Twyford Singers’ next concert is on Saturday, June 25, at 3pm in Loddon Hall, Twyford with a selection of well-loved and celebratory music.

A panel of professional musicians will judge the anniversary composition competition. The choir will sing the three short-listed entries with the judges awarding first, second and third place trophies.

The audience will also vote for their choice. Do go along to enjoy the afternoon.