REVIEW: COCKERMOUTH HARMONIC SOCIETY CONCERT 27 JUNE  2015

Appearances do matter!  The scarves in lovely pastel shades worn by the ladies in the choir were a most attractive aspect of Cockermouth Harmonic Society’s Festival Concert in Christ Church, when they sang with the Lonsdale Baroque Ensemble and Musical Director Ian Thompson.

The programme began with Haydn’s Te Deum.  The choir seemed a little subdued at the outset, but this may have been due to over exuberance from the brass and timpani, with which it is always difficult for voices to compete.  A performance of Haydn’s Salve Regina introduced the four soloists Anne-Marie Kerr, Robert Thompson, Jolyon Dodgson and Jacqueline Pischorn, soprano, being particularly impressive above the silvery sound of the strings.  Balance between choir and orchestra was fully established in the Haydn Motet Insanae et Vanae Curae, the choir singing with great emphasis, clarity of diction and much feeling.

 Handel and Mozart items for organ and strings were well handled  and provided interesting contrast between the choral items.  After the interval soloists and chorus combined for Mozart’s Regina Coeli, which was followed by the Coronation Mass, one of Mozart’s most significant settings of the mass.  This was delivered with great power and understanding and proved a fitting ending to a fascinating concert.

Susan Allison