Amchor shine with Haydn’s Creation sell-out 

Liz Nicholls

Ann Flood reviews the recent concert by Amchor – Amersham Choral Society – with the British Sinfionetta, ahead of the choir’s next highlight at St Mary’s Church on 17th May  

“Reviving showers of rain” – so sang the Baritone soloist at Amchor’s last concert; in fact, the weather braved by the large and enthusiastic audience was considerably worse than this!  

The orchestral introduction, musically bold for its time, represents pre-creational “chaos”. Here the orchestra, in this case the British Sinfonietta, showed its professional capabilities and sensitivity to the direction of conductor Nick Austin. The orchestra provides but one element of the three essential components of the piece, the others being the group of three solo singers and – of course – the chorus. Singers of course know what is coming, but must restrain their voices until the affirmation of “Light” at its “creation” in glorious C major. At the climax Amchor passed the test with splendid sound. 

As with any amateur choir, concerted loud sections come over quite thrillingly, as was the case in the opening and closing bars of the final chorus. Much of the wonderful second Achieved is the Glorious Work chorus lies notably high for sopranos. One would not expect every singer to manage all these high notes, but they were nonetheless present. The Bass section did well in the usual underpinning role; the harmony would be nowhere without those vital unexpected B flats towards the end of The Heavens are Telling. Confessing to a natural prejudice in their favour, this reviewer believes that a good Alto section is at the heart of a good choir. Seldom given the chance for showy display, the Altos hold the texture together and give tone and internal body to a choir’s sound. They, of all parts, need to be permanently “on the ball” – which Amchor’s altos were. 

The trio of young solo singers: baritone, Hector Bloggs, soprano, Iúnó Connolly and tenor, Sebastian Hill, presented impressive CVs and impressed in different ways. Conductor Nick Austin presided affably and drew some lovely playing. 

AMCHOR’s next concert, Rutter: Requiem and Magnificat , is at 7.30pm on Saturday, 17th May, at St. Mary’s Church in Old Amersham, with Aylesbury Festival Choir.