Choral Delight

17 February 1990

On February 10 1940 the attractive new church of St Hugh's Market Harborough held a service of consecration which began with Psalm 122.

On Saturday, exactly 50 years and one week later at a commemorative concert given by the Market Harborough Choral Society by a happy coincidence - the opening anthem was Hubert Parry's powerful arrangement of the same psalm.

Enjoyable however though that and the other three pieces, one by Charles Wood and two by Elgar, were, it was the second half of the concert that I found most moving.

Had Stainer himself been listening to this performance of his famous work 'The Crucifixion' he might have noted areas ripe for improvement.

Indeed ti is worth mentioning that the acoustics at St Hugh's are somewhat treacherous to say the least!

Conducted by David Johnson the choir gave a performance of sincerity and enthusiasm sympathetically supported by Alfred Furnish on the organ.

All four soloists, all society members, did justice to the the stirring music.  Philip Potter's beautiful voice brought a faint echo of Pavarotti to this very English work which Trevor Bollars sang with sensitivity and intelligence.

All in all I am sure that most of us present came away feeling that we had been involved in a most happy community occasion.

by CRT