2013-14 season

Reviews 2013/14 Season


“Gloria!”(Wonderful music for a Spring evening), 29 March 2014


Market Harborough Choral Society’s Spring concert was named “Gloria” and concentrated on two well loved Glorias, the one by Poulenc closed the first half and Rutter’s brought the concert to a satisfyingly loud finish.


However the concert included other treats. Parry’s “I was Glad” began the evening with the choir in full voice. They then had a rest while visiting organist Ivan Linford shook the walls playing Widor’s Organ Symphony No5 in F minor, which included the Toccata. A great favourite at weddings, including Royal ones! It definitely needed the space of the Methodist Church to be appreciated. During Poulenc’s Gloria, which only premiered in 1961, visiting soprano Clare Robertson added her wonderful pure voice in several solos, and the first half closed on an uplifting reverent note .


The choir then sang (unaccompanied ) three “motets” based on Gregorian chants, by Maurice Durufle. Short but very sweet indeed, and in complete contrast to Rutter’s Gloria, when they were accompanied by the Bardi Brass and Percussion! Before this finale, though, Ivan Linford played the organ again, “Sortie in E flat” by Lefebure-Wely, whose music is said to be like fairground music. I saw many toes tapping to the tuneful melody.


Rutter’s Gloria was sung with fervour and the visiting brass and percussion players made sure it ended with a real bang. The audience applause seemed never ending.

Congratulations to Anselm Kersten, conductor, and to the 60+ members of the choir, who love to sing and entertained us so well.

by Vivien Window



Christmas Concert 2013

Market Harborough Choral Society’s ‘A Christmas Celebration!’ came with the unexpected – two conductors from the society sharing the rostrum, thoroughly enjoying themselves duelling with a mix of traditional and modern music!


The show was stolen by the guest flautists – both ex Robert Smyth students – Natasha Davies, currently in her first year at Birmingham Conservatoire, and Jemma Freestone, who has already got her first class music degree and is now studying for her Masters. Natasha delighted the capacity audience with the aria movement from the Sonata for Flute & Piano by Taktakishvili, while Jemma entranced with Entr’acte from Carmen, followed by Clarke’s amazing, avant garde Zoom Tube; a piece written by one of her teachers. This brought a spontaneous three minute round of applause from all.


The guest school this year was Ridgeway Primary School who brought a small, but enthusiastic and quality choir to delight the audience. They later joined together with the main choir in a hilarious rendition of All I Want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth.


The choral society lived up to the high standard that we all expect by performing a wide ranging programme, starting with the 14th century Gaudete, through to the slightly more modern White Christmas, and finally letting their hair down with the foot tapping Cowboy Carol.


Soloists and small groups contributed to the evening; most notably in Carey’s popular All I Want for Christmas is You (immortalised in ‘Love Actually’ the staple film on Christmas TV!), to the now regular spot for the Sheffield Village Carols, sung with great gusto.

Following such an excellent musical evening, many people were enquiring for tickets for the next concert: Gloria! (works by Rutter, Poulenc and Durufle) to be performed on Saturday 29th March.

by Malcolm Lever-Jones