Monday, 8.45am: ON Saturday night the Market Rasen and District Choral Society put on the last concert to be conducted by their musical director Thea Hogg.
It was a fitting end to a 20 year commitment during which time she has helped the choir to become one of the leading choral groups in this part of Lincolnshire.
The Lincoln Pro Musica Orchestra, leader Caroline Siriwardena, conducted by Martin Stockdale set the mood with a well judged performance of the first movement of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings which highlighted the firm quality of their string playing.
Fauré's Requiem followed, with the solo parts taken by Rebecca Hodgetts – soprano and Neil Baker – bass, making a welcome return, both having sung with the society before.
There was some good ensemble singing but it has to be said that some of the quieter entries were a bit tentative at times and gave the impression that the choir was possibly a bit weary after a hard afternoon's rehearsal.
For me the highlight of the piece was the bass solo Libera Me accompanied by the choir.
After the interval we were treated a good performance of the Mozart Requiem.
The choir tackled this with much greater confidence and obvious enjoyment. The entry to the Dies Irae was really together and echoed the words well.
The soloists from the Fauré were joined by Richard Ireland – tenor and Laura Trayhurn – mezzo-soprano, for the beautiful Tuba Mirim quartet in which the mezzo-soprano was a little lacking in power for perfect balance.
In the latter part of the Requiem the choir developed a full head of steam so the fugal Hosanna was presented with great enthusiasm before we reached the relative calm of the Agnus Dei and the final return to the opening movement.
All in all an enjoyable performance of one of the greatest choral works.
And finally – the choir and the audience showed their appreciation of all that Thea has contributed to music in Market Rasen over the last 20 years.
Review by Geoff Goddard, Werre you there? Do you agree with Geoff's review? Send your own thoughts here.
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