Pangbourne's magical Mozart

Pangbourne Choral Society, on Saturday, March 11, at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College. Review by PETER HAYWARD

AT last! A Saturday evening concert with a near-full house, rewarded with excellent performances by Southern Sinfonia and, of course, Pangbourne Choral Society, with this enchanting and spirited performance of Mozart’s wonderful Requiem, his final work.

PCS, with a singing troupe of 87, were joined by the excellent Southern Sinfonia Orchestra and four young talented soloists, Sarah Helsby-Hughes (soprano), Serenna Wagner (mezzo soprano), Rene Bloice-Saunders (baritone) and a brilliant last-minute tenor replacement, Ben Thapa, all performing with PCS for the first time.

This programme started with two orchestral pieces, conducted by Simon Chalk, Southern Sinfonia’s artistic director. Their performance of Mozart’s Divertimento No 1 in D Major (K136) was thrilling, skilful and a tribute to the skill and artistry of a strong orchestra. Simon Chalk then introduced a short work of his own, Salted Snow, which he wrote in 2021 on the death of a friend and colleague with the Slovak Sinfonietta.

The short work centred around a meditative trombone solo, joined by two further trombones for the finale. A great premiere of a clearly intensely personal piece of composition.

And in the second half, back to Mozart and his Requiem, last performed by PCS in 2018. From the opening Kyrie and Dies Irae, PCS performed to the highest standard and were at one with their enthusiastic and highly accomplished music director and conductor Chris McDade.

From the outset, the choir commanded attention for their attack, sensitive phrasing and fine expressive tonal contrasts.

All voice sections were at their best and served notice of their confidence in the opening, notably the Kyrie and Dies Irae. Interspersed with quite exceptional solo sections (especially the Benedictus), one looked forward to the next choral passages – such as the almost percussive Confutatis, followed by the intensely lyrical yet passionate Lacrimosa.

The Requiem looks back to the classical structures of the renaissance and baroque periods and demands precise, well-shaped phrasing. It also looks forward to the romantic period and the choir’s interpretation was laced with warm and deep, but well-controlled passion. A tribute to some excellent direction by Chris McDade

Finally, the choir demonstrated its stamina and confidence in the build-up to the stunning finale, crowned by the challenging and well-performed Cum Sanctis Tuis.

After such rich entertainment, the world seemed a better place and it was great to know that choral singing in Pangbourne is back.