Reviews 2012/13 Season

Market Harborough Choral Society Concert, 17 November 2012.

The choir that likes a challenge, Market Harborough Choral Society, launched their 2012 -2013 season with Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, accompanied by the Bardi Symphony Orchestra and featuring soloists from the Birmingham Conservatoire. This work, unfinished by the composer, but completed in 2010 by Benjamin- Gunnar Cohrs, was the first performance in the UK of the complete masterpiece, bringing the Bardi & the Choral Society to their majestic best.

The evening started in sparkling style with the Overture from The Marriage of Figaro, played with panache by the orchestra. Then followed three contrasting, sacred pieces - Mozart’s Ave Verum , Stainer’s God so Loved the World and Bruckner’s Locus Iste, performed sensitively and exquisitely by the choir.

Then came the highlight of the evening - the UK premiere of the Mozart Mass, performed here in Market Harborough! Joining the Bardi and Choral Society, four young stars in the making - Elizabeth Ryder and Carrie-Ann Williams (sopranos), Stephen Mills (tenor) and Matthew Durkan (baritone) - who delighted and dazzled the audience with their virtuosity. From the opening exuberant Kyrie to the contemplative Agnus Dei, this work showed all performers at their best, ably and confidently conducted by musical director, Anselm Kersten. It has been worth waiting 200 years for the performance of this completed work!

The large, appreciative audience were left wanting more. This will be the ever popular Handel’s Messiah, again accompanied by the Bardi, performed on March 23rd 2013.

However, concert goers have a treat in store before next year. As part of the Choral Society’s aim to further choral singing in the Harborough area, especially with young people, Farndon Fields Primary School will join them for A Celebration for Christmas on Saturday 22nd December at 7pm. Tickets for this event are already on sale and going fast!

by Martin Lever-Jones