Singers and musicians in cracking form at Leamington concert

THE ‘youngsters’ and the ‘oldsters’ of the Spires community performing together for the first time was conductor Colin Touchin’s humorous introduction to this well supported Elegant Elgar concert. Both youth orchestra and chorus responded enthusiastically to Touchin’s deliberate baton clarity.

Elgar’s Empire March, composed for the 1924 British Empire Exhibition and first performed at Wembley Stadium provided a lively opening to the evening - it’s good to see such strong string desks clearly enjoying the occasion. The occasion of the coronation of George 11 enabled Handel to submit his best known of four Coronation anthems for the ceremony – Zadok the Priest, given solid delivery by the chorus - perhaps not ending quite as Handel had designed.

Purcell’s short, delightful Rondeau from Abdelazar, with wind sections excelling set the scene for the evening climax – Elgar’s The Music Makers and a welcome return visit by Claire Mackay, once a Warwick University mathematics undergraduate. Violas, cellos and wind sections were again in cracking form as Claire’s delivery of Elgar’s reserved and personal music with elements of Nimrod and Dream of Gerontius reflected the troubled times of 1912 when the first performance was given in Birmingham one hundred years ago.

Clive Peacock