Fine concert for Arun choir’s centenary

Arundel Cathedral looked resplendent, with a huge bouquet of salmon-pink roses matching the ladies’ scarves and gentlemen’s pocket handkerchiefs, writes Marilyn Dennis.

There was a large audience for this popular choir’s performance with the Sinfonia of Arun (leader: Robin Morrish) and four superlative young soloists, all under the baton of musical director John Henville.

The programme reflected the forward-looking ethos of the choir. No Zadok the Priest, Vivaldi’s Gloria or the Hallelujah Chorus, but relatively rarely-performed works were chosen: Dvorak’s Te Deum, Gounod’s St Cecilia Mass and Elgar’s magnificent Coronation Ode.

The Te Deum offered some delightful revelations, with rich harmonies, beautiful Slavonic melodies and contrasting emotions.

We savoured the radiant soprano of Rhiannon Llewellyn in the Miserere, and the gorgeous baritone of Gareth Brynmore John in Tu Rex Gloriae, Christe, before the choir’s mighty crescendo in the final Alleluia.

The St Cecilia Mass is also known as the Messe Solennelle, combining some solemnity, with lots of ravishing lightness of touch.

After the orchestra’s lovely Invocation, expressive Scottish tenor Iain Milne sang the limpid Sanctus, having joined Rhiannon and Gareth in Domine Fili and Et Incarnatus Est. The final Agnus Dei was serene in its tenderness.

Elgar’s Coronation Ode, composed for King Edward VII, really deserves to be heard much more often! Choir, orchestra and soloists revelled in the glorious outpourings of patriotism and fervour, echoing the golden summer of 2012.

The choir was in its element, fully supported by the orchestra and soloists.

Alto Angharad Lyddon’s contribution was a sumptuous account of Crown the King with Love.

She was joined by her co-soloists plus choir in Crown the King with Faith. The other contrasting five sections culminated in Land of Hope and Glory, subtly different from the usual, but nevertheless vintage Elgar – and the audience rose to its feet in a tremendous ovation.

Arun Choral Society will certainly continue to flourish and is to be congratulated both on its achievement and on the magnificent glossy programme.