2nd December 2023

Cirencester Choral Society December 2023

J S Bach Christmas Oratorio
by Clive Hook

Cirencester Choral Society

‘Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel’ – I’m not sure about the moon, but we certainly shivered our way through Cirencester to the Choral Society’s Bach Christmas Oratorio concert at St. John Baptist Church on Saturday 2nd December.

What an early Christmas treat that met and exceeded our classical music expectations in a majestic Cirencester venue!

For many it’s not even officially Winter yet, but the start of Advent was a sharp reminder of what cold feels like.  The very reverse was true once we were in the church and listening to this wonderful piece.  Like settling in front of a log fire with a warm drink, we were treated to a gentle musical feast under the expert baton of Carleton Etherington.  The accompaniment from the atmospheric Corelli Orchestra, under the direction of Warwick Cole, playing historic instruments added to the softness and feel of the piece.  There were instruments we didn’t recognise (Violone anyone?) but their tone and timbre fitted so well with the nature of the piece – played at baroque pitch in keeping with the period.

The choir sang attentively, confidently and warmly, filling the space with their voices, the soloists sparkled in their pieces and the orchestra players were masterful in their playing of those beautiful instruments – and a special mention must go to the trumpeter in the ‘Mighty Lord and King of Glory’ aria – simply stunning.

There are some pieces, like ‘The Messiah’ from Handel and this rich collection of arias and chorales from Bach that can, of course, only happen at this time of year.  In this case it does what is says ‘on the tin’.  It’s a musical narrative of the Christmas story and is, by its nature and musical period, less dramatic than Handel’s work.  No ‘Hallelujah’ blasts but a consistent, measured and professionally delivered telling of the story.  This was an excellent choice for the Choral Society and for the Cirencester audience to really appreciate the choir and orchestra connections.  The four young soloists from London’s Royal College of Music – Henna Mun, Annabel Kennedy, Sam Harris and Daniel Barrett – provided fluent continuity and as in Bach’s Passion pieces, the Evangelist, Sam Harris, related the story in ringing tenor tones.

The only shock was going back outside afterwards and leaving that choral and orchestral warmth behind us.