Clyst Valley Choral Society "Messiah" St Margaret's Church Topsham Saturday 17 November Holy Trinity Church Exmouth Sunday 18 November 2018

"Messiah"
Clyst Valley Choral Society
St Margaret's Topsham & Holy Trinity Exmouth
Saturday 17 November & Sunday 18 November
(Trumpet: Chris Gould)

Clyst Valley Choral Society celebrated their Fiftieth Anniversary in style last week with two performances of the baroque masterpiece "Messiah" by Georg Friderick Handel.

Paul Stock was conducting and, having celebrated his own Twentieth Anniversary as Musical Director, was sporting the turquoise cuff-links presented to him by the choir as a token of their appreciation.

The orchestra played magnificently and first vioilinist Chris Gould, as always, rose to the occasion by playing the trumpet parts as well. Swelling that sound were the powerful bass trombone and timpani of Ben Lund-Conlon. Organ accompaniment was provided by Mark Perry, who also opened the singing with the portentous words, "Comfort ye my People" and the resounding tenor aria, "Ev'ry Valley shall be Exhalted".

Other tenor recitatives and arias were taken on magnificently by Jason Bomford, including a beautiful countertenor version of "Behold a Virgin shall Conceive". Mark descended from the organ loft again the second half to perform "Thou Shalt Break Them" with great aplomb. Janet MacDonald shared the soprano solos with Karen Reed. Both were in excellent voice and added greatly to the joy of the whole evening.

It was an additional pleasure to see Myriam Prual back with the choir after a protracted illness. Maybe we will hear her singing solo parts again before long. In the softer passages it was lovely to hear flautist Marcus Carson, oboist Julia Hill. and clarinettist Phillip Bonser, gently supporting the choir and soloists.

Angela Blackwell led the orchestra in style with violinists Sally Bull and Chris Gould (when not playing clarion fanfares on his trumpet) and a new member of the orchestra, Kristina Pavic. Marion Kenworthy and Sue Stock provided viola and 'cello, and Sue was also in charge of announcements, which she dealt with very professionally.

This "Messiah" was an experience to remember. Engaging and inspiring from the first note to the final words, not to mention the spectacular "Hallelujah Chorus", this was the perfect way for the choir to celebrate half a century since their first forays into public performance, and over two hundred great works performed during that time. Congratulations to all involved (including Barbara Scales and Carolyn Keep for her work on publicity and catering) for a very special celebratory concert.

There is more to come, of course. on Thursday 20 December the Choral Society will be at Littlemead Methodist Church in Exmouth at 4pm for their Christmas Concert. The next major work will be Haydn's "Creation" which will be at the usual venues of St Margaret's and Holy Trinity on Saturday and Sunday 4 & 5 May 2019. Do contact Barbara Scales on 07950 021006 for details, if you would like to get involved!

Clyst Valley Choral Society
Musical Director: Paul Stock 

Clyst Valley Choral Society
Littlemead Methodist Church
Littlemead Road Exmouth
Thursday 20 December 4pm
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Musical Director: Paul Stock
Soprano: Janet Macdonald
Tickets: details TBC

Clyst Valley Choral Society
Musical Director: Paul Stock

Clyst Valley Choral Society
1 St Margaret's Church Topsham
   Saturday 4 May 7.30pm
2 Holy Trinity Church Exmouth
   Sunday 5 May 7.30pm
- - - "CREATION" - - -
Musical Director: Paul Stock
Soprano: Janet Macdonald
Tickets: Details TBC