Furness Bach Choir, St Mary's Parish Church, Ulverston

WHEN the sudden death of Tony Milledge left Furness Bach Choir without a conductor it left the choir's future programme in an uncertain state. However, Tony's widow, Deborah, herself an experienced choral conductor, offered to step in, and a concert entitled Midsummer Night was arranged. The programme opened with the hushed tones of Fauré's Requiem, a quiet, gentle work full of lovely melodies, and the subtle changes of mood and dynamics were very well performed by the choir. A highlight of the work is the lovely Pie Jesu, and its beautiful performance by Ciara Preston Myakicheff was for me one of the highlights of the concert. Ron Eadington sang the solo in the Offertorium and the fine tune which opens the Libera Me. The addition of the violin obbligato in the Sanctus, played by Pam Redman, was very effective, and Colin Dean played the organ accompaniment with his customary skill.

The second half of the concert opened with Pam Redman playing three movements from Bach's Partita No 2 in D minor on the violin, and then followed a series of 16th century motets for St John's Day preceded by a plainchant version of the mediaeval hymn Ut queant laxis sung in unison by the choir. The setting of the same words by Orlando di Lasso provided a fine example of the careful balance of parts in the polyphonic music. In particular, Orlando Gibbons's verse anthem This is the record of John was impressive, with the whole alto section singing the solo verse part. The final item was William Byrd's six-part anthem Sing Joyfully which provided a fitting end to the concert.

Deborah Milledge must be congratulated for steering the choir through a fine performance in this very enjoyable concert.

ALAN BOLT