Exeter Chamber Choir Advent Carol Service Buckfast Abbey Wednesday 6 December 2017

Exeter Chamber Choir
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph
Soprano Soloist: Anne Draisey
Advent Carol Service Buckfast Abbey
Wednesday 6 December

In addition to this Saturday's "Messiah" at Tiverton (East Devon Choral Society 9 December), Andrew Daldorph has also prepared three performances by the Exeter Chamber Choir. On Wednesday last week (6 December) the Choir were at Buckfast Abbey between Vespers and Compline to perform the annual Advent Carol Service

Accompanied on the Abbey organ by the Abbey Musician, Richard Lea, they performed a selection of beautiful pieces, along with carols for the whole congregation to join in. The introit to the service was Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium" sung in the distant, but magically acoustic, transept. With its five resonators (including the tower above) the sustain is extraordinary to hear. Andrew and the choir made the most of the effect with their soft but carrying sound.

After an opening homily and prayer from Exeter's emeritus Anglican Archdeacon, The Venerable David Gunn-Johnson, the choir continued with a Bach chorale, "Gloria se dir gesungen" from the cantata "Wachet Auf", Richard Rodney Bennett's "There is no Rose", and "Von Himmel Hoch" from Bach's "Magnificat" and the traditional German song "Maria durch ein Dornwald gin", together with a congretational carol, "Of the Father's Heart Begotten".

Choir member Susan Gunn-Johnson read Jan Richardson's "Gabriel's Annunciation" and , after the congregation sang "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and the Choir sang the Coventry Carol (with a delightful and highly polished solo performance by soprano Anne Draisey) and "Heilige Nacht", Exeter Chamber Choir Chairman Bruce Hebbard read Kate Long's "The Meaning of Christmas".

After "It came upon a Midnight Clear", "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Ding Dong Merrily on High", David Gunn-Johnson led prayers and the Pater Noster, and the congregation ended the service with a rousing rendition of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", with many exquisite harmonisations by the choir. Richard Lea closed the proceedings with an energetic version of "Von Himmel Hoch" for organ.

The small but talented choir performed with great style and assurance, bringing a serene sense of sincerity and Christian goodwill to visitors and regular congregants alike. Andrew brought out the very best from all sections of the Choir, and made some very innovative interpretations of familiar favourite songs and carols.

Andrew and the Chamber Choir will be at Exeter Cathedral this Saturday (16 December) for a candlelit concert where they will sing the Bach extracts again, and Lauridsen's "Magnum Mysterium" as well as more baroque music by Monteverdi, Buxtehude, and Torelli. Andrew's own arrangement of "Away in a Manger" will also be included (see full details below).

On the following Tuesday (19 December) the Chamber Choir will be in the remote Teign Valley venue of 'The Great Barn' in Higher Ashton for their traditional informal Christmas concert to end their singing year. This venue is hard to find, but well worth the effort for the delightful atmosphere you will find there. Advance booking is advised, as this will be a very popular concert.

Exeter Chamber Choir
Exeter Cathedral
Saturday 16 December 7.30pm
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
BY CANDLELIGHT
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph
J S Bach: "Wachet Auf " (extracts)
                          & "Magnificat"
Claudio Monteverdi: "Beatus Vir"

(Beatus vir, qui timet Dominum:

      Blessed is the man who fears the Lord)
Dietricht Buxtehude:
               "Das Neugeborne Kindelein"
Morten Lauridsen: "O Magnum Mysterium"
Sir Edward Elgar: "The Snow"
Andrew Daldorph: Away in a Manger
Giuseppe Torelli: "Trumpet Concerto"

Trumpet Soloist: Paul Thomas

Tickets: Aisles £12/£6 Nave £24/£18/£12

Cathedral Box Office: 01392 285983

Details: Chamber Choir Website

Exeter Chamber Choir

Exeter Chamber Choir
The Great Barn, Higher Ashton
(directions - EX6 7QP)
Tuesday 19 December 7.30pm
CHRISTMAS AT THE GREAT BARN
Musical Director: Andrew Daldorph
Tickets: £10 (child £5 family £25)
Telephone: 01647 252552