Saturday 1 December 2007
Kingston Parish Church, Market Place, Kingston
JS Bach: Christmas Oratorio parts IV, V, VI
Thames Philharmonic Choir
Thames Festival Orchestra

A Concert for the Season of Light

As we enter the season of Advent, looking forward to Christmas, those at Kingston Parish Church on the evening of Saturday 2 December were given a musical feast to gladden the heart and to bring light to our winter. Thames Philharmonic Choir, together with the Thames Festival Orchestra, and directed by John Bate, gave a concert of the less known latter parts of the 'Christmas Oratorio' of JS Bach..

The choir's opening chorus gave us a good sense of the seaon's flavours of joy and expectation. Graham Neal was Evangelist, and the clarity and flexibility of his voice, combined with his natural storytelling style, together with the able accompiniment on continuo organ of Stephen Disley, made the recitataives a rare delight. Soprano Helen Meyerhoff and a breathtaking oboe made the 'echo' aria especially memorable. Daniela Lehner's rich mezzo tone brought real weight to her relatively small parts in this work, and Michael Bundy brought his customary quality to all. The overall effect of the performances was one of bounce and life and lightness of touch: there was indeed a buzz about the music.

Solo instrumental work abounded, and it was a pleasure to hear the less familiar Baroque instruments necessary for this work: oboe d'amores seduced us, and the final decorative high D trumpets sent us alive and well ready for the preparations for Christmas. Thank you again Thames Phil - and a very good Christmas.

MN Woodroffe , 3 December 2007