Wokingham Choral Society

from the Reading Chronicle, July 2005

...the gorgeous Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré was wonderfully performed.
All Saints Church, Wokingham

THE choir, accompanied by Denny Lister on the organ and under the direction of their conductor - Aidan Oliver - sang a delightful programme, which was entitled An Evening of French Choral Music.

César Franck's setting of Psalm 150 and his Panis Angelicus got the evening of to a fine start. Then Rosie Biss (cello) played Fauré's beautiful Après un rêve. The choir followed with more Fauré - the lovely Pavaneand mezzo-soprano Susan Atherton next sang the well-known Ave Maria by J.S.Bach, which was superb.

Then, a favourite choral piece, the gorgeous Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré was wonderfully performed.

The first half was brought to an end with Sing!, a choral setting by David Willcocks of Widor's famous Toccata which was sung with great gusto.

After the interval we heard the Requiem by Maurice Duruflé. I can't recall hearing this work before but the choir, joined by the soloists, which included Julian Empett (baritone) plus Misses Atherton and Biss, gave a sympathetic rendition of this gentle and reflective work, which brought this enjoyable musical evening to a close.

  Trevor Miles