Reviews

Here are some selections from reviews of our recent concerts...

The Glory of Christmas Concert 2009
St Nicholas' Chapel, King's Lynn

"The chorus could not have paid a finer tribute to their inspirational music director,
Michael Kibblewhite, at their final concert after eight stupendous years together.

Mr Kibblewhite has transformed the 100-strong chorus and they gave an exemplary
performance to mark his farewell at their annual Christmas concert.

From the spine-tingling, candle-lit processional opening to the particularly poignant
Irish Blessing ending, the chorus demonstrated just how far they have progressed
under the leadership of Mr Kibblewhite who has made a significant contribution to the
musical life of West Norfolk.

The wide-ranging programme included Hubert Parry's powerful 'I Was Glad', the first
movement of John Rutter's 'Gloria', the exciting 'Te Deum' composed by William
Walton for the Queen's Coronation and Alexandra Saunders' beautiful soprano solo,
'Ave Maria'. The wonderful sounds were complemented by organist and pianist
Jonathan Lilley and Trillium Brass who added an exciting extra dimension and
highlighted the chapel's superb acoustic. The audience joined in singing some
favourite carols.

Mr Kibblewhite, who endorsed the appointment of his "inspirational and dynamic"
successor Tom Appleton, received the ultimate send-off when the chorus and packed
audience gave him a well-deserved standing ovation".

(Eastern Daily Press 14th December 2009)

Performers In Fine Voice As Festival Gets Under Way
(Opening King's Lynn Festival 2009)

The ever-popular King's Lynn Festival began on Sunday evening with considerable
quality in a concert of mainly choral works. It is some time I last heard the chorus and
their standard has been raised several notches as they immediately showed in the
choral gem, the Faure Requiem. Without scores and giving drama to the opening, they
continued with well-balanced and controlled singing with impressive tonal gradation
under the inspiring conducting of Michael Kibblewhite.

Sarah Power's fresh, clear soprano was meticulously placed in the Pie Jesu alongside
the light, relaxed baritone of Philip Tebb. Together with the solidarity of the splendid
European Union Chamber Orchestra directed by Hans-Peter Hofmann it was a
performance to savour.

Later the choir portrayed well the mystery and a cappella harmonies of American
composer Eric Whitacre's "Water Night" before some confident singing in Haydn's St.
Nicholas' Mass- although this time the top line could have benefitted from a little more
vocal depth.

Completing a solo quartet Ann Huntley (mezzo-soprano) and tenor Daniel Joy sang the
Kyrie and Et incarnates with great feeling and gave the Benedictus, so often the focal
point of a sung mass, a joyful quality.

The programme was completed with Mozart's Oboe Concerto in C major beautifully
crafted by the young Spanish soloist Vincente Castello

(Michael Drake, Eastern Daily Press 14th July 2009)

Festival proves to be smash hit

The 59th Lynn Festival got off to a cracking start at the weekend with a sell-out
concert. The Lynn-based Festival Chorus and the European Union Chamber Orchestra
wowed the audience with a brilliant evening at St Nicholas' Chapel on Sunday. Festival
press officer Alison Croose said: "It was a sell-out. What a great start and how lovely
to be in the chapel with its wonderful acoustics. It was fantastic"

(Lynn News, 14th July 2009)

Carmina Burana Spring 2009

Carl Orff's magnificent cantata was the centrepiece of the King's Lynn Festival Chorus
concert - but what a treat was served up as an appetiser.

Music director Michael Kibblewhite produced yet another memorable occasion with a
world tour beginning with Variations on a Theme by Paganini for two pianos played by
Ann Martin-Davis and John Byron.

The chorus contribution included an animated arrangement of a Nigerian folk song,
Let's Dance, the beautiful Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit and a classical arrangement of
Shenandoah. The energy of the performance was electrifying - but it took nothing
away from their presentation of Carmina Burana.

The singers were joined on stage by the splendid Nemano Percussion Ensemble,
highly-talented soloists Lesley-Jane Rogers (soprano), Grant Doyle (baritone) and
Andres Hernandez Salazar (tenor), the two pianists and the charming and confident
Springwood High School Junior Choir.

The familiar sounds of the opening O Fortuna were delivered with huge impact and,
with lighting effects adding to the atmosphere, Michael Kibblewhite guided the
performers through the driving rhythms of a work characterised by its simple vivacity.
The combination of vocal and percussive force was most impressive and the large
audience responded enthusiastically.

(Eastern Daily Press 24th March 2009)

Glory of Christmas 2008

Christmas truly began for the 600 people packed into the chapel's pews when the
100-strong chorus raised their voices in a programme of joyous seasonal music.

Even the cold could not mar the audience's pleasure in The Glory of Christmas as
delivered by the chorus under the expert direction of Michael Kibblewhite. The chapel's
wonderful atmosphere and acoustic enhances every occasion - and this was no
exception. An exciting added dimension was the five-piece Trillium Brass. They
introduced Hark! The Herald Angels Sing with a splendid fanfare and provided a
delightful medley of favourite carols as well as accompanying some of the chorus
items. The programme was an interesting mix of traditional favourites which the
audience joined in singing, plus beautiful arrangements of a variety of other seasonal
music such as two versions of In Dulci Jubilo, two John Rutter carols, a complex carol
composed by pianist John Byron, and Kibblewhite's own enchanting arrangement of
Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride.

From the sopranos' candlelit processional Medieval chant, which opened the concert to
the chorus's warm rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, it was an occasion to
be savoured.

(Eastern Daily Press 15th December 2008)

Haydn's Creation

Performances of great choral works like the Creation are experiences to be savoured,
and this interpretation, by the King's Lynn Festival Chorus and the Orchestra of the
Swan, gave this famous Haydn work a freshness and pace which the large audience
found immensely enjoyable.

The Archangels Gabriel (soprano Madeleine Pierard), Uriel (tenor Tyler Clarke) and
Raphael (bass Samuel Evans) narrated in solos and duets the first six days of creation,
and in the final part bass and soprano take over the roles of Adam and Eve. The
soloists were a joy to hear as the work unfolded. The bass voice of Samuel Evans had a
strong dramatic element.

In their bright, coloured tops, the 102 members of the chorus created a vibrant vista
on the stage and their combined voices rose admirably to the challenge of such a great
piece of oratorio.

Deserved warm applause followed for musicians, soloists and chorus. A festival
highlight indeed.

(Richard Parr, Eastern Daily Press 22 July 2008)

Spine-tingling performance

Christmas began in style for the hundreds who packed the chapel to enjoy a
spine-tingling performance of Handel's glorious Messiah. The chorus departed their
traditional pattern of carols and Christmas music for their December entertainment by
taking on the mighty challenge of a seasonal masterpiece.

Their renowned choral director Michael Kibblewhite brought together all the vital
elements to create a triumphant occasion which fully deserved the standing ovation
that greeted the final Amen. The 100-strong chorus is full of enthusiasm and
determination, and Mr. Kibblewhite continues to lift them to new heights. They had the
added inspiration of the dynamically versatile Brandenburg Sinfonia and four
accomplished soloists, Bibi Heal (soprano), Diana Moore (mezzo-soprano),
Christopher Diffet (tenor) and Callum Thorpe (bass).

Mr. Kibblewhite drew together all the threads, creating notable interaction between
soloists and orchestra. All this delightful shared musicality was enacted in the ideal
setting of the beautiful chapel where the famed acoustic enabled all aspects of the
music and singing to be appreciated to the full.

According to tradition the audience stood for a thrilling delivery of the Hallelujah
Chorus and remained on their feet to applaud.

(Eastern Daily Press December 2007 on the 'Messiah' concert)

Ear entranced, soul stirred

At this time of year, across this land, and possibly other lands also, choirs and choral
societies, large and small, are presenting their Christmas concerts of carols and other
festive music.

This year Lynn Festival Chorus eschewed tradition, and instead presented what is
arguably the greatest and most popular of all oratorios, Handel's Messiah, in St.
Nicholas, on Saturday, December 8, before a capacity audience.

They were joined by soloists Bibi Heal (soprano), Diana Moore (mezzo soprano),
Christopher Diffey (tenor) and Callum Thorpe (bass). The accompaniment was
provided by The Brandenburg Sinfonia, and the music director was Michael
Kibblewhite.

The Sinfonia produced its own distinctive sound, reminiscent of authentic period
instruments and displayed great virtuosity throughout.

When I learned that Michael Kibblewhite was re-auditioning every chorus member and
dispensing with the services of several, I was concerned about the effect on the
chorus. My fears were unfounded, the result being a leaner body of singers producing a
performance of great clarity and precision, with all entrances and phrase endings
being absolutely spot on as they displayed complete unanimity with the conductor,
drawing from them outstanding dynamics and conviction.

The high point of the evening was of course The Hallelujah Chorus, which produced a
great degree of tingle factor, not only in the audience but also, I understand, in the
singers. The new chorus is at its peak. Perhaps it would benefit from a few more tenors
(what chorus wouldn't), but this was a superb performance, enhanced by St. Nicholas'
acoustics, and was both inspired and inspiring.

(Lynn News December 14th 2007, on the 'Messiah' concert)

Is there anything the Chorus can't do?

"The blaze of colour from their shirts and blouses dispelled my concern about whether
the discipline required for their usual repertoire of Mozart and Vivaldi might inhibit their
performance of these more popular works. With the opening note of 'Lullaby of
Broadway' my concerns evaporated, such was the verve that the music director drew
from the chorus through the wide-ranging selection...Is there anything that Lynn
Chorus is not now able to tackle? On Sunday's performance it would seem not"
(Lynn News March 2007 on the 'Broadway and Beyond' Concert)

"I was greatly impressed by new accompanist and assistant music director John
Byron, as he displayed his versatility and outstanding technique in Gershwin's 'Three
Preludes', in a rendition that was one of the concert's high spots"

(Lynn News March 2007 on the 'Broadway and Beyond' Concert)

Glorious King's Lynn Festival Chorus brought closer the feeling of
Christmas

"Michael Kibblewhite guided his forces through a wide variety of differing pieces,
including Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride. But the most challenging piece was Judith
Bingham's 'Epiphany'. Very demanding, with a very highly-placed vocal line for the
ladies and long demanding phrases. Another unusual piece was Tsaba Tsaba from
Botswana...The chorus goes form strength to strength under Mr. Kibblewhite's tutelage
with a rise in standard in every performance"
(Eastern Daily Press December 2006 on the 'Glory of Christmas' concert)

Event is a 'must' for festive calendar

"The combination of excellent singing of seasonal music in a splendid setting plus
plenty of audience participation makes the concert a "must" on the December
calendar"
(Lynn News December 2006 on the 'Glory of Christmas' concert)

After that song in Russian, our next will be in Latin...

"The chorus sang with great enthusiasm and commitment throughout, paying great
attention to dynamics, as director Michael Kibblewhite led them through these difficult
pieces...this was a superb performance, with St. Nicholas' Chapel's wonderful acoustic
qualities enhancing an outstanding evening"
(Lynn News March 2006 on the 'Brass and Voices' concert)

Inspiring night for all at vast chapel

"The singers responded positively, clearly relishing the opportunity to progress under
Mr. Kibblewhite's expert leadership and tuition. The eight-piece Trillium Brass
Ensemble's excellent musicianship complemented the voices, and Mr. Kibblewhite
used the chapel's space to underline the quality of the sound from each"
(Eastern Daily Press March 2006 on the 'Brass and Voices' concert)