Saturday 14 December 2002
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, SE1
Vaughan Willians Hodie
Other Christmas music
Carols for Audience
Thames Philharmonic Choir

Choir did us proud

The Thames Philharmonic Choir performed that now traditional Christmas Concert at Southwark Cathedral, conducted of course by John Bate.

The choir opened in feisty style last Saturday with the unaccompanied 'Hodie Christus' by Sweelinck. The place rang to these vespers for Christmas Day. Two pianos played by Roger Beeson and Daniel Cooke were the accompaniment for the substantial work to follow: Vaughan Williams' 'Hodie, a Christmas Cantata'. Set for choir and soli, the narrations were sung by mezzo-soprano Alison Wells, and the tenor solo taken at short notice by Eugene Ginty.

The 'Hodie' opened with waves of rejoicing as the choir set the atmosphere with a dynamic start. The narrations washed over us as the gospel story was told, interspersed with expressive soli comment, choral and hymn-like section, and songs set to poetry. Especially notable for atmosphere were bass soloist Michael Bundy's 'Pastoral' and the following 'Lullaby' for the ladies of the choir. The exultant theme strode through 'March of the Kings' to the finale in praise of creation: 'Ring out, ye crystal spheres'.

After festive refreshments the second part of the evening resumed, with the choir joined by the congregation, to sing traditional Christmas carols: this time we were accompanied on the organ by Daniel Cooke. The choir did us proud with 'Break forth', and finally sent us out with 'We wish you a merry Christmas'.

Thank you, Thames Philharmonic for a great evening!

Marion Woodroffe , Richmond and Twickenham Times, 20 December 2002