Review: Surrey Choral Festival at The Harlequin, Redhill

Surrey Choral Festival 2009

Haydn Gala Concert

The Harlequin Theatre, Redhill

Reviewed by Simon Ames

The Surrey Choral Festival is an excellent formula. Inspired and hosted by the indigenous Reigate & Redhill Choral Society, it draws singers from across the southern counties who have and abiding interest in performing major choral works to a high standard.

In a full day of music workshops with training and development, the evening brings a concert of a grand scale at which the now well-honed skills are showcased.

It was a triumph for individual personal achievement by all involved, a rewarding occasion for the large and appreciative audience.

The programme was devoted to the music of Franz Joseph Haydn, marking 200 years since his death in May 1809.

The concert opened with the 150-strong Festival Choir accompanied by the ProMusica orchestra led by Andrew Laing delivering the composer's Te Deum.

They brought out the best of the joyful opening and the powerful finale in the emphatic key of C major.

Edward Maxwell showed extended versatility as the soloist for the Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, notably in the demanding final movement, the Allegro.

Maxwell's role as a founder of the well known Mardi Brass is a pointer to his considerable skill, his advancing career is taking him into many recording studios and film sets.

The orchestra gave a resounding performance of Symphony No 104 in D major, known as the London Symphony, heralding the main work of the evening, Haydn's Mass in Time or War, often called the Paukenmesse because of the extensive use of martial-style timpani.

Distinguished soloists accompanied to the stage by conductor Peter Farrant were Alison Pearce as soprano, Ameral Gunson singing contralto, Ian Kennedy, tenor, and Richard Fallas as baritone. Each one sings on international concert platforms around the world.

All the benefit of tutoring and rehearsals in the day's earlier sessions were brought to bear in a fine, uplifting delivery of this great work.

From the opening symphonic Kyrie Eleison, the jubilant Gloria in Excelsis Deo, the moving Credo with its passionate proclamations, the short but powerful Sanctus and the Benedictus so serenely enunciated by the four soloists, it was a sustained high quality performance.

The choir brought the mighty finale, the Agnus Dei, to a triumphant close, their overall performance marked by accurate choral entries and impressive power when called up at the key points.

The success of the festival is owed to the hard-working individual choristers, so effectively inspired by those who encouraged them with professional tutelage.

Peter Farrant's direction and musical leadership ensures that this annual festival provides high value for singers, musicians and audience alike.