Lancaster Singers,

Giggleswick Chapel

IN an entertaining and varied programme, the evening covered music from Handel and Verdi through to Bernstein, Whiteacre and The Beach Boys in a smorgasbord of heroes and villains to appeal to everyone.

This approach means the audience not only gets to enjoy favourite pieces, such as the ever popular and moving Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves or the rousing Anvil Chorus by Verdi, but also gets to sample new delights and ensures the choir have an opportunity to experiment and stretch themselves.

The programme began with Handel’s Zadok the Priest and See the Conquering Hero Comes. From the first note of the sensational opening, it was clear this was going to be an evening of delights, with special mention to outstanding work by the accompanist, Ian Tate, for skilful playing and interpretation throughout the evening.

The main section of the first part of the programme was however given over to a lesser known piece, When David Heard by Eric Whiteacre, and this was a true tour de force. Emotionally intense, the piece is an exploration of grief and loss which was both gripping and powerful while at the same time almost too painful to listen to and incredibly moving.

The second half of the programme was lighter in taste with touches of frivolity in Plank Round, Bernstein’s interpretation of the pirates in Peter Pan and Gilbert and Sullivan’s A Policeman’s Lot. There was a spicy touch in Mack the Knife and country and western with Take a Message to Mary along with the saccharine sentimentality of Dibdin’s Tom Bowling.

The best was saved till last and the evening concluded with a haunting rendition of And So It Goes by Billy Joel, a complete contrast to the opening number but one which fitted the bill perfectly.

- Gill O’Donnell