Woking’s Epworth Choir sang singing Haydn: The Creation, at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 14th April, 2012, 7.30pm. Epworth Choir were delighted that HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO, Royal Patron of Transform Housing & Support was able to attend this Concert. The Performance was conducted by Matthew Willis and accompanied by The Salomon Orchestra and featured International Opera Soloists,  Helena Dix, Soprano, Sam Furness, Tenor and Grant Doyle, Bass.

The performance received great applause and many members of the audience expressed their appreciation:

…one of the most exciting and moving choral concerts I have heard for a very long time.
…the choir sounded very professional and the talented and well balanced soloists added to a musically very satisfactory experience in a challenging acoustic’
… Sheer orchestral magic…the orchestra interlude before the recitative O happy pair’ sent shivers down my spine’
…The muted beautiful sound from the Choir during And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters’ contrasted dramatically with the sudden burst of sound …and there was LIGHT!’

Congratulations to the Conductor, Matthew Willis…a Magical performance: Quite wonderful; A delight to hear!’

The concert ended with a Charity Collection which raised more than £2000 for the Surrey-based Charity, Transform Housing & Support. The Charity provides housing and support for vulnerable and excluded people, empowering them to reach their goals and live independent, productive and fulfilling lives. Transform Housing & Support are celebrating their 40th Birthday in 2012.

Full review by Marigold Jackson

Were you in the audience for Epworth Choir’s performance of Haydn’s “The Creation” on Saturday 14th April? If not you missed a musical treat. From the choir itself, through The Salomon Orchestra to the three wonderful soloists, this must have been one of the most exciting and moving choral concerts I have heard for a very long time.

The magical moments were many –
The muted, beautiful sound from the Choir during “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” leading to the sudden burst of sound “and there was LIGHT”.
“The heavens are telling the glory of God”, always a favourite chorus of mine, with the chorus interspersed with the trio of soloists, did not disappoint.
The great excitement of “Achieved is the glorious work”.
And many more!

Of course, it was not just the Choir who made this such a magical evening. The three soloists, Helena Dix (Soprano), Sam Furness (Tenor) and Grant Doyle (Bass) were a delight to both hear and watch. They interacted with each other as a team throughout their performances, which, of course, gave so much more meaning to the words they were singing.

I don’t think I can do better than to quote a number of comments heard from the audience after the performance –
“I loved the way the three excellent soloists were singing as a team and interacting beautifully, while deferring to the conductor.” “Magical performance”; “Quite wonderful”; “A delight to hear”.

Well done Epworth Choir! Well done Matthew Willis. I look forward to your “OPERA!” on 13th October. Don’t miss it!!

Marigold Jackson, 18th April 2012