Reviews
Christmas Concert 2011
A warm welcome awaited us at a floodlit Wymondham Abbey on a chilly December evening. We were treated to a marvellous concert performed by Wymondham Choral Society and tenor soloist Daniel Joy, accompanied by an invitation orchestra.
Britten’s Saint Nicolas was the opening work, a stunning, atmospheric cantata based on legends connected with the fourth century bishop and saint. It was obvious from the start that the conductor, Claire Dixon, had impeccable control. The work is demanding, involving precise timing. The excellent orchestra, leader David Randall, of strings, piano duet, organ and percussion provided a superb performance, forming an integral part of the work. There were many highlights. Their depiction of a storm at sea when Nicolas saved the sailors on board ship was particularly outstanding. Never dominating the choir the players provided a truly inspiring tapestry of sound.
The choir excelled itself. Their singing was at one moment powerful, at another a tranquil piano, always clearly audible when small semi choruses were included. Diction was commendable. They were performing with passion, conveying the meaning strongly. They sang with confidence and conviction.
It was a delight to hear Daniel Joy, the talented tenor soloist. This work is demanding and complex. Daniel sang with great sensitivity and control. His rich voice could be powerful and strong, or delicate, often very moving. Throughout the concert he sang with great attention to detail. It was truly a privilege to listen to him.
Special mention must be made of Thomas Wright who sang the part of Nicolas as a child and Thomas with Philip and Samuel Gay as the pickled boys. They deserve our warmest thanks.
After the interval the programme included a pleasing selection of carols, some familiar, some not. The choir sang A Fanfare for Christmas by Robin Wells and Bach’s O Little one Sweet without accompaniment. Daniel Joy provided more outstanding singing in two of them and also the lovely O holy Night by Adolphe Adam. His solo, That Yonge Child, from Britten’s Ceremony of Carols was a marvellous highlight.
The audience enjoyed joining in with two hymns in the first half and a final carol. A concert that was an uplifting prelude to Christmas, a great credit to all!
Sarah Jackson
4.12.2011
An audience of over 200 people attended the concert given by Wymondham Choral Society directed by Claire Dixon, accompanied by Tom Primrose on the piano and three guest soloists as part of the Wymondham Music Festival.
The first half was devoted to Puccini's ‘Messa Di Gloria', written when the composer was only eighteen. This setting of the Mass was operatic in style. Here, the choir revelled in the memorable melodic writing and subtle harmonies which we have come to associate with this great operatic composer. The 'Credo' (not as vast in scale as the 'Gloria') was suitably dramatic, featuring some expressive singing which Claire Dixon drew from the choir. Here they were joined by Soprano Billie Robson, Tenor William Falconer who sang the 'Et incarnatus est....' with great sensitivity and Bass-Baritone Mark Horner whose rich timbre particularly suited the 'Crucifixus' section.
In the second half, the three soloists sang a selection of Russian, German and English songs most expertly accompanied by Tom Primrose on the piano. These included two settings by Rachmaninov which were sung with great style by the impressive young soprano Billie Robson. Mark Horner captured the nautical flavour of John Ireland's setting of ‘Sea Fever', while William Falconer's tribute to the great tenor Richard Tauber was particularly well received to rapturous applause from the audience.
Perhaps the highlight of the evening was Tippett's Spirituals from ‘A Child of Our Time'. The Choir, under Claire Dixon's inspired direction was equal to the complex choral textures and displayed impeccable intonation. Soprano, Billie Robson, soared effortlessly above the Choir in ‘Steal Away', while in ‘Deep River' the soloists and the Choir were contrasted against each other most effectively. This proved to be a fitting and moving climax to a most enjoyable evening. The concert was in support of a local cancer charity, ‘Star Throwers'.
Anthony Joule
10.7.2011
Easter Concert 2011
St. Peter Mancroft Church in the centre of Norwich was the magnificent setting for a most excellent performance of Dvorak’s Stabat Mater by the Wymondham Choral Society, conducted by their musical director Claire Dixon. Her choir, accompanied by The Amadeus Orchestra and four superb soloists treated the audience to an evening of moving and utterly beautiful music. The concert helped to raise funds for our local charity for cancer sufferers, Big C.
Dvorak composed the Stabat Mater in 1877, following the deaths of his first three children. It is uncertain how much these tragedies affected his composition but the work is outstanding for its beauty, its expression of sadness and its final glorious hope that the spirit will live on after death. Its origins are a medieval poem describing the Virgin Mary’s grief as she stands by the cross and Christ’s suffering which the poet longs to share. Through this he hopes to join them in Paradise. Thus the work was a fitting one to hear so close to Easter.
The Wymondham Choral Society performed with great passion yet firm control. The four sections of the choir were well balanced, singing as a totally united whole. Throughout the ten sections of the work quiet reflective passages contrasted with bursts of strong fortissimo. The effect was thrilling and often spine-tingling. Dvorak’s work is said to move performers and audiences to tears. I can vouch for this.
Nicola Wydenbach, with beautiful soprano voice soaring over the church, sang with great clarity. Melanie Lodge, the melodious alto, provided a strong contrast. Tyler Clarke stood in at very short notice for the tenor who was unable to join the concert. The Society is indebted to him. This very fine tenor and Timothy Hamilton, bass, were also outstanding soloists. It was a privilege to hear them.
The talented young players of The Amadeus Orchestra complemented the singers providing an excellent balance of sound. Dvorak’s composition is special among the history of Stabat Maters because of its symphonic quality. It is a substantial work which demands substantial resources.
Congratulations are due in large measure to Claire Dixon who conducted this huge work with precise attention to detail and firm control. The concert’s success was an enormous credit to her.
Sarah Jackson
4.4.2011
30th Anniversary Concert
In celebration of their anniversary the Society performed an outstanding concert in Wymondham Abbey which looked magical in the icy dusk as the audience arrived. The concert had had to be transferred at only a week’s notice from Attleborough church and it was gratifying to see such a large audience packing the Abbey. Claire Dixon conducted the choir and invitation orchestra led by David Randall in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio – Parts I-III – and Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams. The concert helped to raise funds for The Norfolk Family Mediation Service.
The orchestra played these demanding works with great sensitivity, adding an authentic context to the singing. Individual players who contributed much were the trumpeters and Anthony Joule, well known locally, on organ continuo. All, however, are to be commended.
Christmas Oratorio, composed in 1734-35, is a complex work in which Bach demands much from the singers. The stirring first chorus began an evening of contrasts: moving chorales and often fast choruses interspersed with the solos.
The tenor, William Falconer, was a melodious Evangelist. Tom Primrose, counter-tenor, particularly moving in the fourth section “Prepare thyself, Zion” was consistently strong throughout. Helen Vaughan, soprano, harmonised well with Fearghus Cooper in the duet, adding effectively a contrasting voice to the music. Fearghus stood in at short notice for the bass soloist who had previously been engaged and had to withdraw. The Society is indebted to him.
Fantasia on Christmas Carols suits the Choral Society. Musical director Claire Dixon highlighted the contrast between fortissimo and delicate piano. Throughout the entire concert she was in absolute control and paid attention to detail. The diction of the choir was particularly commendable.
Overall, the concert was a great credit to the Society, a very fitting tribute to thirty years of performances.
Sarah Jackson
6.12.10
Summer Concert 2010
Another most enjoyable concert by the Wymondham Choral Society - it was no surprise to read in the programme that there is a waiting list of singers wanting to join.
The audience's attention was immediately engaged by a tender rendering of the first Elgar Motet, Ave Verum Corpus, followed by three others. The parts were well-balanced and Claire Dixon allowed no lagging.
Steffan Jones was the soloist in Stanford's "Songs of the Fleet", standing in at extremely short notice. The atmosphere of the verses was well distinguished: sailing at dawn with a maritime rhythm; a quiet reflective middle watch; the little admiral with a bunch of sturdy sailors and a magnificent finale in the farewell.
Regular supporters of the choir will have met the versatile Anthony Joule in many guises, this time as the composer of two tuneful choral works, the first in particular employing a more modern idiom.
In Stanford's "The Blue Bird" several sopranos sang what is usually a solo part, appearing to reach the highest notes with ease.
David Dunnett then put the organ through its paces with a spirited account of a movement from Elgar's Sonata in G.
The evening closed with a fine rendering of Vaughan Williams' "Five Mystical Songs", a setting of poems by George Herbert, a younger contemporary of Shakespeare. Again the baritone played a prominent part but the choir also provided some memorable mom
ents - the wordless chorus in "Love Bade me Welcome" and a powerful "Antiphon".
Steffan Jones has a rich, pleasing baritone voice well suited to this evening's repertoire. One would never has guessed that there was only a single rehearsal for the choir and the last minute replacement soloist.
Well done all!
Eric Springthorpe
19.7.10
Easter Concert 2010
On Saturday 27th March at St Peter Mancroft church, an audience of over three hundred were treated to one of Joseph Haydn's later choral works The Seasons. Although better known for his oratorio The Creation, Haydn's The Seasons is nonetheless a fine work and received a sparkling performance from the Wymondham Choral Society, Amadeus Orchestra of London and three excellent soloists.
The work begins with an orchestral introduction depicting the passage of winter to Spring. This is followed by the chorus of country folk. Later comes a Song of Joy in which Haydn skilfully represents the leaping lambs and fluttering birds.
The trio and chorus which opens ‘Summer' reminds us of a similar passage in The Creation, as the sun rises with a beautifully expressive crescendo. Later comes a representation of a thunderstorm with drum rolls and pizzicato strings. In Autumn we hear the hunting horns and cries of ‘Yo ho ho' in the drinking chorus. But there are tender moments too, like the introduction to Winter and the ensuing Cavatina sung by the tenor soloist.
In this work, Haydn skilfully juxtaposes his trio of soloists, chorus and orchestra. Claire Dixon was in complete command of her combined forces throughout the performance. There was much to admire with the spirited singing of the chorus, ably assisted by an excellent orchestra of young professional musicians. The soloists also made an outstanding contribution. The soprano Nicola Wydenbach was strong and vibrant; tenor Stephen Miles (standing in at short notice) was lyrical while bass Peter Willcock had a rich and sonorous timbre. Overall, a most entertaining and enthralling evening.
Anthony Joule
28.3.10
The Seasons
St Peter Mancroft, Norwich.
The Wymondham Choral Society and the young instrumentalists of the London Amadeus Orchestra, led by Francesca Barritt, combined under Claire Dixon for Haydn's Seasons.
With Michael Pilkington's revised version of the libretto and some judicious cuts, the oratorio expressed its pious optimism with period charm.
The third part was especially vivid. It was a musical description of country life. First came a solemn, full-throated chorus hymning the pleasures and rewards of hard work.
This was followed, with a certain irony, by a step by step account of a day out shooting, by the rich tones of horns recalling the traditions of the hunt and finally by the hubbub of an evening devoted to quaffing the new wine.
The bass-baritone Peter Willcock put both vigour and character into the farmer Simon, and Nicola Wydenbach brought her well-focused soprano voice to the role of his daughter Jane. Gallantly replacing an indisposed colleague at short notice, Stephen Miles was Lucas.
The 80 singers in the chorus made the most of some splendid moments and launched confidently into the more exposed fugal passages. The orchestra provided a great deal of adroit musical scene painting with the right balance of assertion and restraint.
Christopher Smith
Eastern Daily Press 29.3.10
Christmas Concert 2009
Meg Starling trilled her way with great precision and vocal ingenuity through such lovely arias as "I know my Redeemer Liveth". There was great warmth from William Falconer as he began the evening with "Every Valley shall be Exalted". Vera Cooke’s contribution included a moving and poignant version of "He was Despised". The bass, Miles Horner, was in particularly good voice and his singing of "The Trumpet shall Sound" accompanied by brass tones on the organ was a highlight of the evening.
Finally, the ultimate plaudits go to Tom Primrose who played the organ throughout and made it sound like a full orchestra. He was the backbone of a splendid concert that celebrated the true meaning of Christmas.
Michael Martin
6.12.09
Summer Concert 2009
Wymondham Abbbey was the magnificent setting for the Wymondham Choral Society's summer concert. The large choir, accompanied by an invitation orchestra of about thirty players, was conducted by Claire Dixon.
The main work in the first half, Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42, featured Bridget Snasdell, mezzo-soprano, who sang with a strong, clear confidence. Although somewhat hesitant in places, the choir produced a rich sound with a pleasing balance between the four sections. This was an attractive work, not particularly well-known, but a striking contrast to the three other short pieces in the first half of the concert.
Three unaccompanied pieces complemented this work. O Magnum Mysterium by our contemporary American composer Morten Lauridsen, had a calm serenity. Similarly, Abendlied, another work of great beauty by Josef Rheinberger, a German composer of the nineteenth century, was performed with sensitivity and passion. Most memorable , however, was the final part of Rachmaninov’s Vespers, Hail Virgin Mother, sung in Russian. The effect of this work sung beautifully in the original language was profoundly moving.
Haydn’s Mass in the Time of War formed the second half of the concert. The choir sang with energy and obvious enjoyment, a lively, confident performance tightly controlled by Claire Dixon at the podium. Anna Trent and Bridget Snasdell, sopranos, Matthew Bennett, tenor and Fearghus Cooper, bass, featured as a pleasing balance of soloists. A special mention should be made of Matthew Bennett, a newcomer to the Society concerts, notable for his fine tenor voice. The concert ended with much appreciative applause from the large audience. Not surprisingly, the Choral Society has maintained the high standard it is known for and added much to the Wymondham Festival.
S. J.
14.7.09
Easter Concert 2009
On Saturday 18th April Wymondham Choral Society, in conjunction with the Mozart Orchestra, presented a concert of music by Mozart in the imposing surroundings of St. Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich. The popularity of this composer was indicated by the early arrival of a large audience.
The choir led with the Ave Verum Corpus K618 motet under the direction of Claire Dixon. It was evident that most of the singers knew the piece from memory and all eyes were on their conductor, leading to an impeccable ensemble.
Geoffrey Barker then exchanged his seat at the first desk for the podium, to conduct the Mozart Orchestra in Symphony No.38 K504, the "Prague". It is not clear why this symphony has only three movements instead of the usual four. The advantage of a chamber orchestra was apparent throughout, the performance showing a transparency which revealed all the inner parts. Nevertheless there was a power when needed, as in the first movement, while the twinkling but controlled third movement had many a foot tapping in the audience.
And so to the Requiem K626 with Claire Dixon directing. Again the Wymondham Choral Society were clearly no strangers to this work and presented it with confident entries and due attention to the dynamics. High spots in the performance were the threatening air of the Dies Irae, the radiance of the wonderful Lux Aeterna and the triumphant Cum Sanctis.
There was a strong quartet of soloists: Hannah Long, Sarah Parkinson, William Falconer and Anthony Joule, who individually sang splendidly though in the quartet of the Benedictus the men could have been less self-effacing in a difficult acoustic.
After this fine performance by the Wymondham Choral Society we shall look forward to their next concert.
Eric Springthorpe April 2009
Christmas Concert 2008
A packed church in Attleborough was treated to a fine and innovative collection of mainly seasonal music, warmed on a cold night by a variety of tuneful carols together with a delightfully amusing organ solo by Tom Primrose.
The soprano Sarahjane King performed an Italian Carol (Ninna- Nanna a Gesu Bambino) with choral accompaniment which was a beautiful juxtaposition of sounds. She returned later to sing the Pie Jesu by Faure with a gentle passion. The concert was rounded off by a strong account of "Joy to the World" by a choir that is well rehearsed and sings with great joy and gusto.
This was particularly apparent in the first part of the evening in the splendid performance of Poulenc's "Gloria". Although the orchestra initially showed signs of indiscipline their improvement was marked as the piece progressed; the woodwind in particular helped to bring the piece alive. At the first entry of the choir, under the firm guidance of Claire Dixon, it was obvious that this would be a feast for music lovers. The Gloria is music of subtlety and variety and Claire Dixon brought this out with a good commanding presence at the podium. Not just a group of singers performing music they loved singing in harmony, this is a well-organised choir that interprets music well.
Soprano Sarahjane King gave a particularly moving account of the Domine Deus, Agnus Dei. In the final section soloist and choir combined to provide a climax to the first part of a lovely evening in a great setting.
Michael Martin
7.12.08
Summer Concert 2008
Wymondham Choral Society presented a varied programme in the Abbey on Saturday 12th July which drew a large audience. The concert opened with a rousing performance of Handel’s “Let Thy Hand be Strengthened”. In the central Largetto the men coped particularly well with some exacting passages. The Allegro was vigorous and well-drilled.
There followed Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater”, sung by Anna Trent and Bridget Snasdell accompanied on the piano by Ben Giddens. Though listed as sopranos, their ranges differed sufficiently to give a complementary blend of voices in a pleasing performance marred only by a slight misunderstanding at the beginning of one section.
Sarah Parkinson (contralto) followed with Handel’s “Art Thou Troubled?” Miss Parkinson has a very smooth delivery, even in quality throughout the whole vocal range, making this a very pleasing item.
The first half was completed with a “Magnificat” attributed to Pergolesi, though probably by Durante. To the credit of the choir it was possible to follow the Latin from the programme, a unanimity of pronunciation which is not always achieved.
The second half consisted of Vivaldi’s “Gloria”, full of delights – an excellent attack on the “Gloria”, a smooth “Et in Terra” (surely one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written) and some excellent woodwind in the “Domine Deus.”
A special accolade for the tenors and basses who, although outnumbered by the ladies, were at all times audible without forcing the tone.
Eric Springthorpe
14.07.08
We have an excellent choir in Norfolk, people. The Wymondham Choral Society sang their socks off last Saturday in the German Requiem of Brahms. Their Easter concert in St. Peter 
Mancroft to raise funds for the Mancroft Advice Project (MAP) was well attended and very satisfying.
Claire Dixon directed the performance with great clarity and firmness, although one fugue was rather muddier. It was occasionally a little too straight, yet it was an effective and affecting performance. The orchestra was most supportive. There were even happy listeners at the doors. Lucky Norvicians.
Ivor Solomons
12.04.08
A Chorus of much Approval
This excellent concert was enjoyed in St. Andrew’s on Saturday. Claire Dixon directed Wymondham Choral Society, organist and soloists in some well-thought-out and musical interpretations which the choir delivered enthusiastically and with determination. …After the interval came a rare chance to hear Dvorak’s inevitably melodious and attractive Mass in D. …Dvorak’s music was well- conveyed, with the chorus effecting some precise, dramatic interplay with the soloists.
Ivor Solomons Easter 2007
Bach Cantata 150, Haydn Missa Brevis St. Joannis de Deo “Little Organ Mass”,
Dvorak Mass in D Major performed at Hingham.