Sat, 7 Dec 2024

December 2024 concert

7 December 2024, Haslemere Hall

The audience at the Haslemere Musical Society’s concert in Haslemere Hall on Saturday, 7th December, were able to celebrate Christmas a little early this year. A full house attended the concert in spite of the gale force winds and driving rain that Storm Darragh had brought to the region over the weekend. Fortunately, the choir and orchestra had enjoyed a good
rehearsal that afternoon and this continued into the evening.

The Haslemere Musical Society Orchestra and Chorus were conducted as usual by music director, James Ross and they began the evening with a fine performance of Joseph Haydn’s very popular Trumpet Concerto in E flat, featuring able soloist, Tim Milford. This concerto has been a right of passage for talented trumpeters for over 200 years and was much enjoyed by the audience.

Local composer, Clive Osgood has a strong association with the society as accompanist at the choir’s rehearsals. His new work, a Magnificat in eight sections was featured as the second Item of the concert. This involved both choir, orchestra and a soprano soloist, Clare Loosley, who was in very fine voice. A new work is always difficult as it is unknown to the performers and the audience, but this rendition was well sung by the choir and soloist and
with superb accompaniment from the orchestra. This completed a very enjoyable first half
of the concert.

After the interval, Christmas truly arrived as the audience were treated to a thrilling
performance of Howard Blake’s wonderful children’s Christmas story entitled The Snowman.
This is a work seen, heard and appreciated every Christmas, as it usually features in the
festive television schedules. This short cartoon film was brought to life with a superb
performance by the orchestra, with vivid instrumental textures and the famous song,
‘Walking in the Air’, very well sung by treble soloist, Logan Broom. The storyline was
brilliantly narrated by David Greenwood. This was indeed a magical performance.

John Rutter’s popular Shepherd’s Pipe Carol followed, with the choir in excellent voice. This
preceded the final work of the evening, Gustav Holst’s arrangement for choir and orchestra
of popular Christmas carols, entitled Christmas Day: A Choral Fantasy on Old Carols. It
features such favourites as Good Christian Men Rejoice; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; The
First Nowell and the Breton melody, Come ye lofty, come ye lowly. As expected, the choir
and orchestra gave full voice to these festive songs, ably accompanied by the orchestra.
This completed a truly delightful programme of music. And everyone returned home in
jubilant mood, ready for the Christmas season.

Once again it shows that the people of Haslemere are very fortunate in having such a variety
of excellent quality music to enjoy at every time of the year.

Roger Saunders
Haslemere Recorded Music Society