Concert with the Wantage Choral Society

Programme:

"How about some plaudits for Gabs, who kept going longer than any one of us, giving us wonderful support as well as keeping Henry VIII on the hop?" (a member of WCS)

Wantage Choral Society’s concert at Letcombe Regis Village Hall was a thoroughly enjoyable evening of music, performed with enthusiasm, warmth, and impressive musicianship. Accompanied by the excellent Gabs Damiani on piano, the choir presented a varied and engaging programme that delighted the audience from beginning to end.

The concert opened with John Rutter’s For the Beauty of the Earth, a work that was performed with warmth, sensitivity and beautifully blended choral tone. The choir captured the piece’s joyful expression of gratitude for the natural world, with graceful phrasing and careful attention to dynamics creating an atmosphere of quiet reflection and celebration.

Gabs Damiani then took centre stage with a solo performance of Edward German’s Three Dances from Henry VIII. These charming character pieces, originally composed as incidental music for Shakespeare’s play, evoke the elegance and pageantry of the Tudor court while retaining a lightness and melodic appeal that has made them enduring favourites. Damiani’s playing combined technical assurance with musical flair, bringing out the contrasting personalities of the dances with stylish articulation, rhythmic vitality and expressive lyricism. His performance was both polished and engaging, earning warm appreciation from the audience.

Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Madrigals followed, bringing an infectious burst of energy and humour. The choir clearly relished the syncopated rhythms and jazz-inspired harmonies, delivering the music with confidence, precision and a sense of fun that was shared by the audience. The crisp diction and lively character of the performance highlighted the choir’s versatility.

The concert concluded with Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s A Season to Sing, an imaginative and compelling work that weaves together Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with texts reflecting the changing cycle of the year. The choir vividly portrayed the contrasting moods of spring, summer, autumn and winter, demonstrating both musical sensitivity and expressive range. Damiani’s assured accompaniment underpinned the performance throughout, supporting the singers with elegance and subtlety while allowing the rich choral textures to shine.

The welcoming atmosphere of Letcombe Regis Village Hall added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening, making it an occasion that was as inviting as it was musically rewarding. This memorable concert showcased Wantage Choral Society’s musical strengths and the accomplished artistry of Gabs Damiani, sending the audience home uplifted and eagerly anticipating the choir’s next performance.