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On an unseasonably mild November night, that would have graced mid summer, Caldicot Male Voice Choir were in the quasi-Mediterranean wonderland of the ‘English Riviera’. The contemporary ecclesiastical splendour of the Methodist/United Reformed, Central Church, in Torquay, was the capacious venue of a very well attended musical evening. The audience was informed that the choir was the largest ever hosted in the 35 year history of this majestic church.
The vertiginous walls, bejewelled with vivid stained glass, supported an unfathomably high ceiling that facilitated for sublime acoustic performance. The choir performed a varied programme that showcased a large selection of music from their latest recording, an album entitled “One Moment In Time“, the details of which are to be found under the recordings bar. The superb acoustics of the church, the dynamically accurate leadership of our Music Director, Siân Hatton and the synchronised dual accompaniment of John Nicholson on the organ and Stephen Berry on the piano made our rendition of ‘Nidaros‘ one to remember and be proud of.
The guest soloists were soprano, Angela Hancocks and Mr. Clive Bastin, who performed an Organ recital from Mendelssohn’s second symphony, the “Hymn of Praise“. The choir brought the evening to a close with a powerful rendition of “Morte Criste“, again with both piano and organ accompaniment, which drew a prolonged standing ovation from the appreciative Torquay audience. Breaking news is that we have indeed been invited back next year for a repeat performance.
At the conclusion of the concert, the choir and much of the audience reconvened at the Torquay RAFA Club, where welcome refreshments were taken and songs sung, until well into the night. The choir was delighted to comply with a request from one local lady to sing ‘Flower of Scotland’ ably supported by our very own Davy Scott, who knew all the words.
Those of us who travelled back by bus had a splendid view of the fog along the M5.
Jeff Williams
Photos by Carolyn Griffiths, Fran Francis, Nina Isley and Lyn Gauntlett