6 December 2025: Music for the Festive Season, including Bruckner's "Mass in e minor"
The first half of this concert was devoted to the music of Anton Bruckner - works that are well-known by the composer but not frequently performed by amateur choral societies. The two works were the a cappella motet, Locus Iste, and his Mass in E minor performed with a 15-piece Wind Ensemble. The. music of the Mass was challenging for the choir but the final result was beautiful, glorious and inspiring and many were the comments from audience and the orchestra that praised the daring and quality of the choir, as well as the wonder of the music, itself..
The second half consisted of music appropriate to the Festive Season and included Palestrina's 8-part Hodie Natus Est, Philip Stopford's The Star of Kings and The Christmas Blessing, Sally Beamish's In the stillness and Tamsin Jones's Noel: Verbum Caro Factum Est. There were also carols for audience participation with which included introductory fanfares by Philip Stopford and Chris Dalladay.
Our 'new' musical director, Philip Stopford, took to the podium for the first time with ACS and was warmly welcomed by the audience, being master of both the choir and instrumental ensemble. Colin Spinks p[ayed the accompaniments on piano and organ for those works not accompanied by the wind ensemble.
"Wow! What a performance! Dramatic, exhilarating, exciting all the way.... I really felt that everyone was working together and gaining strength from their joint efforts. A superb 'first concert' by your new musical director - who also showed his talents in composition. ACS seems to be going from strength to strength. I could have listened to it all again, so very well done to everyone involved.
(an audience member)
