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LEICESTER MERCURY 07/12/01 LEICESTER PHILHARMONIC CHOIR COUNTESTHORPE COLLEGE CHOIR
The
Sound of Christmas, DE MONTFORT HALL, THURS 6 DEC REVIEW by NEIL CRUTCHLEY Audience played a part in show's success WITH Paul Spicer conducting and Thomas Trotter on the organ, there was little doubt that this concert would be a success, and so it proved. Spicer is an outstanding choral conductor and he drew some beautiful singing from the Phil. Rhythmic precision and excellent diction enhanced a well-chosen programme. Arrangements and original works by Wilcox and Rutter rubbed shoulders with Tchaikovsky's Crown of Roses and Sweelinck's magnificent Hodie Christus Natus Est. The semi-chorus shone in Thalben-Ball's tender Lullay Lord Jesus and Pettman's I Saw a Maiden. It was good to see the Phil joined by the choir of Countesthorpe College. Under conductor Giles Turner, this large, well-drilled group sang with spirit and enthusiasm. As well as providing splendid accompaniment, Thomas Trotter showed impeccable technique and imaginative use of registration in two virtuoso solo pieces, Dupre's Variations on a Noel and Delthier's Christmas.
A
final word must go to the audience, whose hearty and accurate singing played a
part in the success of the evening. |
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