Saturday 10th November - Holy Trinity Church, Formby
Challenging Programme Beautifully Performed
The first concert of the new season was held in Holy Trinity Church, due to the imminent renovation work at Our Lady's Church. There was certainly a feeling amongst some of the audience that this was not necessarily a change for the worse. Whatever the relative merits of the acoustics and sightlines, the pews are certainly just as hard in Holy Trinity!!
The first half began with an absolutely electric performance of Handel's famous Coronation Anthem Zadok the Priest. Taken at a typically quick tempo set by conductor David Holroyd, this made for a stunning start to an outstanding evening's music.
Then followed a stylish performance of Handel's Organ Concert nicknamed The Cuckoo and the Nightingale with the Choir's regular accompanist, Richard Lea as soloist. Oh, for a name to this anonymous orchestra, who supported Richard's beautiful playing with matching articulation and finesse. What's happened to the Liverpool Philharmonia who used to play for FCS? - after all these are all the same players. They ought to proud of their name; whilst neither Royal nor Philharmonic, the Liverpool Philharmonia are an outstanding asset for Formby Choral, and their friends Birkenhead Choral.
Next came Handel's Dettingen Te Deum. This piece was chosen by the late Tony Leigh and the Choir did justice to his memory, as well as to that of the recently departed Therese Formby and Peter Wallace. It might have been an unhappy year for the choir socially - but musically they have not been happier. The Te Deum was challenging vocally - lying high for long stretches, but they faced the challenges manfully, and gave a stylish and confident account of the work.
As usual, the choir had secured the services of a fine set of soloists, and although not spotless, their contributions were excellent. Laurie Ashworth is a local soprano, and I hope we shall hear more from her, because her voice suited the Baroque and Classical repertoire admirably
The second half of the concert was Michael Haydn's Requiem. Written some 20 years before Mozart's rather more famous Requiem, it is a fine example of the genre - indeed there are moments when one has to wonder whether Mozart had learnt from it. It is a beautiful piece, and perhaps glad to have the Handel under their belts, the choir sang responsively and decisively.
David Holroyd should be pleased with his choir - the success of the 40th season has not gone to their heads. Their contribution to the 2008 Philharmonic concert is bound to be important; I look forward to that already.
MC
Click here for previous reviews