Press & Publicity 2011

Concerts are regularly reviewed in the Bournemouth Echo, New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times

Reviews from the Bournemouth Echo, The Lymington Times & New Milton Advertiser.

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Let's Haydn seek! -  The Grange Choral Society under the director Daniel Cook gave this flowing work a magnificent airing in the company of four highly experienced soloists; Katharine Hawnt, soprano, Carris Jones, contralto, Thomas Hobbs, tenor and Julian Empett, bass. Haydn's Requiem in C relies not so much on high drama, but in wonderfully lyrical writing and splendid orchestral scoring, superbly performed by the Grange Orchestra led by Brian Howells.

. . . Whilst a new king is not in the offing, the four Coronation Anthems will always be core repertoire. The Grange singers revelled in the jubilant Zadok the Priest with a spine tingling performance and gave resounding accounts of the others with the four soloists making an entry in My Heart is Inditing. And we can rely upon Handel when it comes to a finale; another Alleluia chorus that readily stirred the soul. Mike Marsh (edited quote)

The Grange Choral Society began its 50th anniversary year with a flourish as the opening chorus of Handel's Zadok the Priest blazed out with all the fervour the choristers could muster. . . That wonderful music never fails to thrill, and on this occasion the choir was amply matched by the brilliance of the brass section. . . . My Heart is Inditing, provided much to enjoy in the singing of the soloists, alternating with the choir, and in some fine instrumental playing by members of The Grange Orchestra.

The second work in the concert was the Requiem in C minor by Michael Haydn . . . . Here soloists . . . gave performances of the highest calibre, singing particularly sensitively in various combinations with one another.

Some of the most moving music came in the Benedictus and Agnus Dei sections. Once again, the choir sang all their music with great sympathy and understanding.

. . . There is no doubt musical director Daniel Cook is inspiring the choir to new heights. . . . as he begins his fourth year with them, the Grange Choral Society will mark its own 50th anniversary with a performance of Elgar's powerful work, The Dream of Gerontius. That will be an occasion to celebrate Christchurch's great good fortune to having such a notable choir, able to attract both top class soloists and capacity audiences into the magnificent setting of Christchurch Priory.  New Milton Advertiser Review (edited quote)