Reviews

THE PHOENIX SINGERS AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH, 11^th December 2009

For his first concert as conductor of the Phoenix Singers, John Naylor planned and presented a programme called “The Mystery of Christmas”. It included music from many countries and many times. The Singers were on fine form, giving every work a performance which combined finesse with enthusiasm.

Mr. Naylor included three versions of “O Magnum Mysterium”, first by Victoria then a twentieth century setting by American Morton Lauridsen and finally by Poulenc. The first two gave the Singers the perfect opportunity to produce a velvety, reverential hush which, in the church acoustic, was sublime. By comparison, Poulenc’s setting was quirky and demanding – it received  perfect timing and real technical expertise.

The programme also included some well-chosen readings; a letter from Wilfred Owen to his mother at Christmas, like one of the last songs, “I’ll be home for Christmas”, seemed uncomfortably relevant to today.

Four carols by contemporary composer Bob Chilcott contrasted beautifully with some of the older works. Pianist Vivian Redfern provided sensitive accompaniment to Chilcott’s   ”Remember O thou man”, a number with a chamber jazz feel given a hearty performance by the singers, as was Kenneth Leighton’s “Coventry Carol”. There was also a version of the same carol in Chilcott’s four settings.

Benjamin Britten’s carol “Hymn to the Virgin” was composed when he was still at school-allegedly run off when it was too wet to go out to watch a cricket match! A wonderful portent of things to come.

The evening revealed Mr. Naylor’s profound knowledge of the choral repertoire. It was a fine contribution to Shrewsbury’s season of festive music as well as an indication that the Phoenix Singers will continue their distinguished contribution to the musical life of Shrewsbury.

Andrew Petch Shropshire Star December 2009