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Review of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, December 2005
by Martin Murphy

The Stroud Choral Society's performance of the J.S.Bach Christmas Oratorio on Saturday 17th December in the Subscription Rooms, Stroud, under Ben Nicholas was a tribute to music and a triumph of music making.

The joyful and dramatic Christmas choral liturgy, orginally a series of six cantatas, was given to a packed audience with pace and passion by conductor, choir, Corelli Orchestra and soloists.

The Corelli Orchestra's playing of period instruments was a great treat; individually and collectively demonstrating formidable virtuosity.

The choir responded to this high challenge in like measure, honed now to an edge and invigorated by Nicholas' demanding standard, so evident of late, as to prompt even higher expectation of their next outing with Mozart in May. It was a great winter warmer too to hear such a choir sing the familiar strains of "Nun seid ihr wold gerochen".

The calibre of soloists Lucy Bowen soprano, Jeremy Kenyon alto, Christopher Watson tenor and James Birchall bass is so well known that it merits thanks rather than comparison. Their performances fulfilled all criteria of professionalism with the pairing in "Lord Thy mercy, Thy compassion", noteworthy.

Tewkesbury choirboy, Andrew Swait's presence as "Echo", enchanted the audience.

The Society's next concert will feature Mozart's Solemn Vespers, Serenata Notturna and Requiem on Saturday 20th May in the Subscription Rooms.

Review of our concert in May 2005, by John Salter

Saturday night saw Stroud Choral Society present Haydn’s Creation at Stroud Subscription Rooms.

This was only the society’s second concert under the baton of their new conductor, Ben Nicholas, but in my opinion was the slickest and most enjoyable for several years. Ben’s dynamic approach has brought a new energy to the choir, much to the delight of the near capacity audience.

The eighty strong choir were accompanied by the Regency Sinfonia, conspicuous by their excellence. This was musicianship of high quality and I sincerely hope they will be supporting the Choral Society in the future.

Haydn’s Creation is a light and accessible piece. It was written in 1798 and based on the first chapter of Genesis narrated by 4 archangels.

Alice Carol, standing in at short notice as soprano gave a confident and assured performance.James Birchall, bass, sang wonderfully and with exceptional range. Tom Raskin, tenor, sang with clarity and precision.

The Chorus put in a strong and tonally excellent performance. The quiet start culminated with a spine tingling crescendo as “God created light”. The expanded male voice section, often a weakness in the past due to lack of numbers at last balanced the sopranos and altos perfectly.

I have to say the concert was over all too soon. The audience could easily have forgotten this was small town Stroud. It was a performance fit for any large city concert hall and the Society should be heartily congratulated. John Salter