DORCHESTER CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT

St Mary’s Church,

Dorchester

CELEBRATIONS were in the air at the town choral society’s latest concert where a world premiere, a twin town cooperative effort and a heartfelt tribute to a great lady conjoined to produce an emotional and melodious evening of friendship and thanksgiving.

The original idea for a united musical composition between Lubbecke in Germany and Dorchester came from the local choir’s former director of music, Christine Page, who passed away last year.

A joint effort to complete the scheme has resulted in a glorious choral work which was performed by the 60plus combined choirs of the two towns to produce a soaring and ultimately joyous work in a world premiere performance that is certain to resonate for many years to come.

The three composers of the Diptych are Stephen McNeff, Hans-Martin Kiefer and Heinz-Hermann Grube, who each contributed a piece demonstrating their own particular style and it is greatly to the credit of conductor Colin Howard that he brought cohesion and discipline to the work, no mean feat when three languages – English, German and Latin – are involved. Top marks also to the singers who rose to the challenge with amazing skill and enthusiasm.

The finale of the concert was Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, beautifully presented by the fine orchestra and the choir with four solo guest artists. The familiar work was given a thoroughly professional airing and if the lack of male choral singers slightly dented the impact of some aspects of the piece, it nevertheless rounded off an evening of top class music for which the county town can be very proud.

The choral society’s next concert is a Christmas Special on Saturday 10th December at St Mary’s Church, Dorchester.

MARION COX