Saturday 6 December 2003
St Paul's Church, Augustus Road, Wimbledon
Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle
Thames Philharmonic Choir

Cheerful melodies and rumbustious accompaniments

Last Saturday December 6, St Paul's Church, Inner Park Road was the venue for yet another delightful Christmas concert given by Thames Philharmonic Choir and soloists directed by John Bate. Rossini's 'Petite Messe Solonelle' was a perfect seasonal choice with its easy melodies and striking textures.

The accompaniment of two pianos, played by Roger Beeson and Marie Ward, together with Daniel Cooke on the unusual harmonium was novel, strangely orchestral and very successful, both in texture and in execution. The gentle and sublte phrasing for the choir's opening Kyries led to a flourishing and resonant Gloria.

Throughout this performance the choir excelled in their part-singing and framed the soloists in their sections in this part of the mass. Christopher Foster was the deliciously Italianate bass, with the fine lighter tenor of Ashley Catling as perfect contrast and complement. In the Credo, the solo soprano Cruxifixus was a more successful solo for Rebecca Rudge than the later Hymn, with well-sustained phrasing.

The energetic Et Resurrexit and its concluding fugue was more evidence of the exceptional qualities this choir possesses. An instrumental Offerty led to the rich clarity of part-singing and gentle antiphonal work of the Sanctus, in which again the choir could display their unaccompanied prowess.

The final Agnus Dei, with alto soloist, Heather Shipp, and choir brought to a reluctant end one of the brightest concerts; and thanks to Rossini's interesting style, cheerful melodies and rumbustious accompaniments, one of the more surprising Christmas concerts that Thames Philharmonic have sprung on us.

A joyful start to the season of goodwill.

Marion Woodroffe , Richmond and Twickenham Times, December 2003