There was a good audience to hear Eversley Choral Union's lively and attractive Christmas concert at Milnthorpe's St Thomas's Church.

Vivaldi's Magnificat, a short work, is not performed nearly as often as the longer, more popular Gloria, but it is an attractive work with its mixtures of trios, duets and quite short choruses. It really suited this choir, which produces, particularly from the sopranos and altos, a bright, fresh tone with no suggestion of vibrato, so that the contrapuntal lines come through really well.

However, there were occasional moments of rhythmic uncertainty and some patches of insecure intonation.

The three soloists from the choir - Deidre Truman, Rosemary Brown, and Dorothy Williams - sang really well with special praise for Rosemary whose voice and musicianship was ideal for this piece.

The choir was at its best in And the Glory of the Lord, taken at sparkling speed, which was very refreshing. For Unto us a Son is Given was less successful as, at this speed, the choir could not articulate the semi-quaver runs.

Overall it was a very enjoyable concert with some excellent singing from the audience and first class organ accompaniment from Hugh Davies, organist at Kendal Parish Church.

January 2, 2003 14:30