Holy Trinity church was, once again, ringing to the sound of beautiful choral music on Saturday, February 5, as the Exmouth Choral Society performed their first concert of 2011 performing under new musical director Laurence Blyth.

The choir were joined by musicians from Divertimento, young instrumentalists from South West Music School and Exeter University, and Exeter Cathedral’s director of music Andrew Millington on the organ, who is also the president of the choir.

Haydn’s Nelson Mass opened the evening with crisp, rhythmic singing from the choir and exciting dialogue from the chamber ensemble. Soprano Harriet Jones shone, particularly in the opening Kyrie and Julian Rippon delivered the Qui tollis with great conviction, together with fine singing from David Webb and Juliet Curnow.

The second half of the concert was the Durufl� Requiem which gave the choir an opportunity to demonstrate a wide variety of vocal colours and timbres alongside a more prominent role for the organ.

The sound was at once light and clear but with great substance in the dynamic contrasts. The flattering sound complemented the acoustic and added to the ambiguous modality of the Requiem.

On the whole the ensemble was commendable and the balance between orchestra and chorus never seemed to be in question. Julian Rippon was again a commanding baritone, whilst Juliet Curnow (mezzo-soprano) and Vicky Evans (cello) provided a stunning change of mood in the Pie Jesu.

This was an exciting start of a new chapter in the society’s life under the young talent of Laurence Blyth. I am sure that this performance has created a hard act to follow in the next concert in May where the choir will be performing Haydn’s Creation.

Grace Banys