The opportunity to hear some of Bob Chilcott’s music performed live is always one to be relished, but never more so than when the work is conducted by the composer himself. So the Burford Singers’ recent performance of his sublime Requiem was a real treat, with Chilcott wielding the baton in his final stint as guest conductor during Brian Kay’s year-long sabbatical.

I fell in love with Chilcott’s Requiem when I heard it premiered by the Oxford Bach Choir in March 2010, and the intervening five years have done nothing to diminish the appeal of its gentle splendour, its meditative qualities and the glorious richness of its melodies and texturing.

The Burford Singers, as always, responded with a warm, eloquent and committed performance, while soprano Laurie Ashworth and tenor Thomas Elwin contributed some thoughtful and expressive solo work that was beautifully articulated throughout.

After that, anything else could have seemed an anti-climax, but Vaughan Williams’ ever-popular The Lark Ascending instantly commanded the attention, and Michael Bochmann’s sizzling account of the solo violin passages was truly mesmerising.

There probably couldn’t be any greater contrast to Chilcott’s Requiem than the sparkling ‘Spring’ movement from Haydn’s The Seasons, and this performance positively overflowed with joie de vivre from both choir and soloists, who clearly relished the sheer exuberance of this bubbling score. Once again Laurie Ashworth and Thomas Elwin impressed with some wonderful solo passages; they were joined this time by Jon Stainsby, whose gloriously rich bass was a joy.

The Cotswold Chamber Orchestra provided strong support throughout under Chilcott’s meticulous guidance.

Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass features in the Burford Singers’ summer concert, alongside Karl Jenkins’ Gloria and John Rutter’s Feel the Spirit.

The Burford Singers
Burford Parish Church

Nicola Lisle