Classical Spectacular: Peter Farrant (conductor)

A startlingly good value for money programme featured a wide variety of pieces, including a short melodic gem in Mozart’s ‘Laudate Dominum’. Soprano Sinéad O’Kelly had a strong voice which carried beautifully around the huge hall while the whole piece was excitingly sung by Sussex Voiceworks and Reigate & Redhill Choral Society. The Vivaldi Concerto for two trumpets was a fun piece with clearly separated bright trumpet playing and some lovely lead violin in the Largo movement. The highlight was undoubtedly Haydn’s ‘Nelson Mass’ however, with a darkly thrilling opening ‘Kyrie’, a powerful crescendo in the ‘Quoniam Tu Solus’ and moving solo work, particularly from the bass Matthew Busweel. A slightly overlong programme perhaps but a highly enjoyable evening.

St. Bartholomew’s Church, 9 May 2015

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