Well-drilled choral group on form

Hosanna, Bristol Choral Society: Bristol Cathedral

WITH his usual imaginative programming, Adrian Partington presented a journey through English church music covering works from the 13th century right up to the present time.

Two pieces from the Worcester Fragments were a powerful opening.

Skipping two centuries, we then encountered well-known composers of the 16th, Tallis with the delectable If You Love Me and Gibbons' lively O Clap Your Hands among the items chosen. The delicate and expressive singing of the choir came to the fore in this particular group before the power of Purcell's I Was Glad led up to a wonderful and inspiring rendition of the mighty Coronation Anthem, then Handel's Zadok The Priest. Here it was noticeable how well the conductor had drilled each section.

The 19th century selection began with Mendelssohn's most popular short choral piece Hear My Prayer. This masterpiece contains a long soprano solo with the choir merely providing a backing. The soloist was the talented Josephine Goddard, an 18-year-old Bristol Grammar School student, who gave a riveting and professional performance.

In the popular section Oh For The Wings Of A Dove, Josephine produced high notes of quality. All together this was a most moving rendition worthy of the enthusiastic applause.

After this, Wesley's Thou Wilt Keep Him and two works by Stanford gave the choir a chance of some softer singing, which they managed very successfully.

The modern composers were represented by Vaughan Williams' powerful Antiphon and Tavener's unusual piece God Is With Us.

Peter King played two contrasting organ pieces including Howells' Paen, which covered many different styles.

The excellent Adrian Partington controlled his forces with great skill and the choir obviously enjoyed this challenging programme.

8/10

JOHN PACKWOOD