Saturday 4 December 2004
Southwark Cathedral
Handel Messiah
Thames Philharmonic Choir
Thames Festival Orchestra

Glorious celebration of choir's 40 years

Saturday evening December 4 was the evening for Thames Philharmonic to mark a celebration of 40 years' formation as a choir. Conducted by their founder and musical director throughout all those years, the choir and orchestra performed Handel's 'Messiah' at Southwark Cathedral to a packed venue.

This work had indeed been the music chosen for the first concert given by the choir in 1964 and Saturday's performance was seriously good. The choir was larger than it has ever been and appropriately well supported.

The work opened gently at a good pace that lifted our hearts, and as the choir took us through the first chorus the atmosphere settled in. Clarity and clear articulation held the anticipation well, leading to the contralto aria 'O thou that tellest' as a brisk clarion call, sung by Alison Renvoize. The operatic timbre of bass soloist Timothy Dawkins was well suited to his rich interpretation of darkness that followed and the birth chorus drew us into glory and a setting of wonder. The soprano soloist Rachel Chapman sang of shepherds in a bright and pure voice that was a delight and excellent orchestral detail was at all times thoughtful and sensitive.

Graham Webber as tenor soloist took immense emotional care of the challenging part two of the work. One of the interesting elements in this concert was the most individual and distinctive styles of the four soloists, seemingly very contrasted in vocal character and lending vibrant variations in musical colour to the performance of the overall work. The choir warmed through the work and grew in abandon and intensity to produce a gripping evening.

Remarkable was the bass and trumpet performance of 'The trumpet shall sound'. I think I have never heard better. The final chorus spun at cracking pace towards the final Amen. This was a memorable 'Messiah' and worthy of the extraordinary anniversary - many more years please, Thames Philharmonic!

MN Woodroffe, Richmond and Twickenham Times, 31 December 2004