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The Watford Observer - Friday, December 26th 2003
A good finale for Watford Philharmonic
Colourful lights, tinsel and foliage surrounded the Watford
Philharmonic during their traditional Christmas concert at The
Colosseum on Wednesday, December 17.
Vice-president of the society and veteran broadcaster Richard
Baker introduced a programme made up of many familiar
pieces. The choir and orchestra conducted by Stuart Dunlop
began with Vivaldi's Gloria in Excelsis Deo, the spritely woodwind
excelling themselves. Whereas in more and more carol
concerts people are asked not to join in, this was not the case
this time and it was a joy as we relished this prelude to
Christmas Day.
I always feel more in the mood after participating in this
concert.
And so we all joined in Once in Royal David's City and Ding
Dong Merrily on High then sat back to listen to the choir and
orchestra perform the beautiful The Shepherd's Farewell by
Berlioz, a personal favourite.
Once again everyone was in full voice with a new version of The
Holly and The Ivy, which was jolly, jaunty and vibrant.
One enduring tradition is to invite the children on stage to
sing Little Donkey and Jingle Bells.
A jovial Santa, who apparently had trouble parking his sleigh,
reminded the children that this was the time of year to think of
others less fortunate. Nigel Markwick handed them sweets as
they left the stage.
Richard Baker read some amusing poems: A Stress Free Christmas
and Bad Hair Day. After this the choir, adorned in red caps,
scarves and gloves, sang The Fieldmice Christmas Carol, Joy Shall
be Yours in the Morning from Wind in the Willows.
Roger Quilter's delightful A Children's Overture opened the
second half. This will be familiar to those who remember
radio's Uncle Mac of Children's Hour. A strangely neglected
work, it strings together an endless seam of nursery rhyme
tunes. Sadly the otherwise superb orchestra sounded a little
pedestrian in this enchanting work. I hope it will be
included on future occasions.
The audience joined in Here We Come a Wassailing followed by a
delightful interlude when Richard read Absentmindedness in Parish
Choir by Thomas Hardy.
The superbly rustic style included principals of the orchestra
Rebecca Boyle and Gordon Higham and others, donning straw hats.
Stuart Dunlop always includes unusual items in his programme
and Gustav Holst's Christmas Day, a skilful arrangement of well
known carols, was an effective piece for choir and orchestra.
It was a good piece to appreciate the excellent choir.
Percy Fletcher's Ring Out Wild Bells has become the traditional
finale to this carol concert and Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New
was sung with fervent meaning.
In this concert, as throughout the year, the Watford
Philharmonic reached new heights.
by Wendy Keeling-Taylor
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