Yet another example of the diverse musical scene offered by local amateur groups came in this delightful programme by the Chamber Choir on Saturday.

 

The Missa Luba is a blend of the Christian Mass and exciting African rhythms, and its Sanctus became well known as the soundtrack for the anarchic 1968 film If- which saw the debut of Malcolm McDowell.

 

 Tenor Russell Painter confidently and colourfully led the call and response pattern, well supported by the choristers and the percussion accompaniment so ably provided by Adam Morris and Richard Hubbard.

 

The two percussionists also gave an enjoyable account of Matthias Schmitt’s strongly rhythmic Ghanaia for marimba and djembe.

 

Bob Chilcott is fast developing a reputation as one of this country’s leading composers of choral music and his Little Jazz Mass, based on the Missa Brevis, was written for a 2004 Choral Festival in New Orleans.

 

There is a relaxed Kyrie, a rather more upbeat Gloria, a jazz-lullaby Sanctus and a blues-inspired Agnus Dei, all sung with empathy and warmth by a choir, under musical director Geoffrey Weaver, which was clearly enjoying its singing and accompanied by Ian Parry, double bass, and Philip Weaver, piano, as well as the two percussionists.

 

In the programme were  a selection of spirituals which included  Ain’a that good news, Deep River,  Ev’ry time I feel the spirit  and the conductor’s own arrangement of  the South African freedom song Siyahamba.

Review by Jerald Smith.