Saturday 2 December 2006
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, SE1
Music for Advent and Christmas
Thames Philharmonic Choir

Choir in joyous voice

Southwark Cathedral was the venue on Saturday for an early and welcome feast of Christmas music to mark the beginning of Advent. The Thames Philharmonic Choir, directed by John Bate, was in fine voice for this evening of varied and striking music for the season, Stephen Disley, assistant organist at Southwark, accompanied the choir when required, and shone in his two solo slots.

After a rather bland Parry, followed by the unusually delightfully restrained setting by Malcolm Arnold of Psalm 150, the choir really got into their stride for Weelkes' Gloria in Excelsis Deo. This assured a cappella performance set the scene for the first organ solo A Festive Voluntary by Petr Eben, in which the delicacy and colour of this instrument was drawn out by Stephen Disley.

The highlight of part one was from the choir. Their enlivened rendering of La Guerre by Jannequin was when this 16th century portrait of a French battle truly bounced to life in the hands of the musicians. This delightful performance incorporated sounds of war and a lively percussive use of the words to paint a pulsating picture.

JS Bach's lovely motet Lobet den Herrn concluded part one. After the interval, part two included much singing of traditional carols in audience participation with choir items. Included in the midst of all this was another gem organ solo, Variations on Adeste Fideles by Cochereau, in which Mr. Disley again demonstrated the virtuosity for which he is known. Particularly notable from the choir was their full-blooded singing of the refreshing setting by John Kelsall of Love Came Down at Christmas.

The evening was brought to a joyous conclusion by the full setting of We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

MN Woodroffe, Richmond and Twickenham Times, 8 December 2006