Saturday 28 February 2009
All Saints Church, Kingston upon Thames
Vivaldi Gloria
Thames Philharmonic Choir
Thames Festival Orchestra

A DELIGHTFUL EVENING OF MUSIC FOR THE START OF SPRING!

On the evening of Saturday 28th February, All Saints' Church, Kingston was the venue for a delightful concert given by Thames Philharmonic Choir and Thames Festival Orchestra, directed as always by John Bate, their first of 2009

Three works were given: the 'Gloria' of Vivaldi; 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' of Mozart; and the Mass in G Major of J.S. Bach.

The Gloria opened with the choir demonstrating their lightness of touch combined with delicacy of emotion that made this an arresting opening. Such sensitivity continued in the arias and duets to follow: with Eleanor Dennis (soprano) and Rosie Aldridge (alto) giving competent, clear and moving performances: Eleanor accompanied on continuo by Stephen Disley, and in duet with a beautifully decorative oboe obbligato, and Rosie lending gravitas and a richness of tone that lifted this work to new heights. The choir sounded confident and the final movement was a fugue with a smile on its face!, characterising the gaiety of this performance.

The strings of Thames Festival Orchestra played the Mozart to follow, and this familiar work was distinctive for its fine shading and phrasing.

The Bach Mass was less well known, and technically difficult in places. The former soloists were joined in this by John McMunn (tenor) and Philip Tebb (bass). The steady contrapuntal style and twisting chromatics of the opening chorus was held well by the choir, and they danced through the following Gloria. The soprano/alto duet blended excellently, and the final chorus was a burst of glory at its conclusion.

The evening was a fine beginning to the year's music, and we look forward to further riches from these musicians in 2009.

MN Woodruffe, Richmond and Twickenham Times, March 2009