What the Papers Say!
CREATION IS A VOCAL TOUR DE FORCE
St Peter’s ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall, Essex
the orchestral depiction of chaos did not disappoint. There was some robust and dramatic playing from the orchestra paving the way for the entry of the chorus – hushed and diminutive on the words ‘and there was… ‘ and dramatic a powerful on the word ‘…light’.
Elsewhere the chorus sang with joy and exuberance and the final chorus ‘Sing the Lord, ye voices all’ was a vocal tour de force.
Three first-class soloists added to the performance the bass, Ben Beuklian—Carter was relaxed and assured, the soprano Isabella Gage used her voice to good effect and produced some rousing embellishments and the tenor, Alex Pidgen used his innate musicality to engage the audience and gave a characterful performance throughout. The conductor, Stephen Moore, admirably controlled his forces
David Wood – Braintree and Witham Times - April 2010
Handel 250th Anniversary Concert of “MESSIAH”
Saturday 7th April 2009
St Peter’s ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall, Essex
Acknowledging the 250th Anniversary of Handel’s death Braintree Choral Society chose to perform parts II and III of “Messiah” and they succeeded in bringing out the reflective and joyous sentiments of the season in a resplendent performance.
The choir was into the swing of things in the three consecutive choruses with good fugal attack and intricate counterpoint. ‘All We Like Sheep’ was full of vitality and had a foot-tapping lift.
The four soloists were of the highest order and added much to the performance and the orchestra played with a lightness of touch that perfectly matched the timbre of the soloists with the impressive harpsichord colouring the tone.
An excellent performance that brought out the baroque beauty of Handel’s masterpiece.
This Messiah refreshed the parts that others fail to reach
David Wood – Braintree and Witham Times - April 2009
Choir Capture Passion of Mozart
Saturday 29th November 2008
Christ Church London Road, Braintree
Braintree Choral Society certainly rose to the challenge of Mozart's "Requiem" and gave an uplifting performance of this masterpiece
At times singing with intensity and bite and other times with eloquence and passion, the choir expertly captured the various moods of the text.
In Purcell's "Te Deum" the music allowed the choir and soloists to be more outgoing.
David Wood – Braintree and Witham Times - December 2008
Splendid Evening of Patriotic Favourites
Saturday 28th June 2008
St Peter’s in the Fields Church, Braintree
Pomp and patriotism came to town when Braintree Choral gave its version of the very popular Last Night of the Proms.
David Shead (trumpet) and Robert Poyser (organ/piano) provided the instrumental items. Their musicianship in Handel’s Suite was full of character and togetherness.
The vocal fireworks came in the form of Handel’s Zadok the Priest which was given a resplendent and vigorous performance by the Choir. This contrasted with a calm and composed performance of All Through the Night and the reflective vision of Choose Something Like a Star.
The traditional highlights of the Last Night were expertly handled by the conductor, David Shead and the choir revelled in the party atmosphere of the Sea Songs.
Robert Poyser’s improvised organ interludes were a particular delight. There was flag-waving bravura and audience participation in Rule Britannia and a rousing rendition of Jerusalem.
A splendid evening of music-making much appreciated by the large audience.
David Wood – Braintree and Witham Times
“Elijah” Found!
St Peter ad Vincula Church, Coggeshall
Braintree Choral Society was joined by Halstead Choral Society to present this major work by Mendelssohn with excellent soloists including Judith Wilson-James and last minute stand-in Roger Lawrence (conductor of Felsted Choral).
The audience was presented with a superb presentation of Elijah with two well-known local choirs an very talented young orchestra under the baton of Robert Poyser.
The performance with Robert Poyser’s deft handling of the forces, there was no place for sentimental wallowing or operative outburst and the performance was all the better for it.
The title role with Roger Lawrence who used clear expression and excellent diction – he knew how to portray the sentiments of the plot, he mocked and goaded the chorus. The tenor, Alex Pidgen, won over the audience with his effortless and fluid phrasing. The interactive chorus clearly relished their role and the orchestra was supportive – the raw energy of fugal complexity of the final choruses was particularly effective.
This was a direct and engaging performance that was much enjoyed by the large audience.
David Wood – Baintree and Witham Times
Choir Hit the Heights
Saturday 8th December
The Choir achieved a fine, harmonic balance in the carols – diction was clear throughout and an entrancing rendering of ‘A Child’s Carol’ by John Smith.
Highlight was Geoffrey Bush’s “Christmas Cantata” with outstanding accompaniment by Tony Evans.
Pat Rudkin – Braintree and Witham Times