Comment

UNDER their newly appointed musical director Daniel Cook the Grange Choral Society looks set for further advances in their already enviable reputation.

Centred upon John Rutter's beautifully composed Requiem, the Grange chorus responded to every lovely nuance with rapt conviction.

Accompaniment provided by Simon Hogan, organ and an unaccredited ensemble of five musicians on harp, flute, oboe, cello and drum made a significant contribution to the colour and context of the words.

Soprano soloist Abigail Hooper seemed ideal with an exquisite, well-rounded voice, enunciating the Pie Jesu with absolute clarity.

And the presence of Salisbury Cathedral Organ Scholar Hogan as sole accompanist for the remainder of the programme proved very rewarding.

His vivacious introduction to Elgar's Te Deum and Benedictus further inspired glorious choral singing under Cook's creative control where the devotional sections were imbued with revealing sensitivity.

Bairstow's Five Poems of the Spirit, set for Baritone Solo and Chorus, are demanding of choral precision and here well realised, though surprisingly, I occasionally wished for greater clarity from the fine voice of Richard Hooper.

The informative programme notes and libretti praised Parry's brilliant eight-part choral writing in his Blest Pair of Sirens and I can only echo that praise for the Grange's exuberant excellence.

10:51am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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