Saturday 5 March 2005
Kingston Parish Church
Duruflé Requiem
Haydn Nelson Mass
Thames Philharmonic Choir
Thames Festival Orchestra

Choir Mesmerises

On Saturday, March 5, Thames Philharmonic Choir and members of the orchestra under the direction of John Bate gave a spring concert at Kingston Parish Church.

The evening began with Duruflé's Requiem and after a tentative start the choir filled out to a sonorous Kyrie. Gaining in confidence the Domine Jesu was assured and impressive with baritone soloist Dawid Kimberg providing haunting tones. Mezzo-soprano Nicola Stonehouse gave a deeply moving Pie Jesu and the emotional temperature grew in intensity throughout the Agnus Dei. The final moments fo the work were particularly sensitive and effective, this being a hallmark of the evening's interpretation in general.

The second half of the evening was Haydn's Nelson Mass, again accompanied by the reduced orchestra of strings, timpani, trumpets and with the organ most imaginatively registrated by Stephen Disley. A glorious Kyrie by the choir set the tone for the whole performance and we were caught up in a work rich with colour and spark.

Juliet Schiemann stepped in at very short notice as soprano soloist and her virtuosic Gloria opening, in which previous soloists were joined by Ben Johnson as tenor, led to the Qui Tollis which was texturally sensitive and enhanced by dynamic and colour from all musicians. There was a delicacy and precision to the final Dona Nobis Pacem and with its robust ending it summed up the quality of this evening's performances.

MN Woodroffe, Richmond and Twickenham Times, 11 March 2005