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Carmina Burana

We had a fantastic and resounding Summer and 25th Anniversary Concert on 28th June ! Our thanks go to our soloists, our two pianists, Percusssion East, and members of Sancroft school choir, and of course to our choir and our Music Director, for making this a truly memorable occasion.  Here is the review by Basil Abbott, Music Critic, and some comments from members of the 200-strong audience, who gave HCS a standing ovation:

A review of the performance by Basil Abbott

Although medieval in origin, Carl Orff’s 1936 composition has an apocalyptic feel to it that reflects today. It is basically a collection of songs, in Latin and Middle High German, songs about Springtime, dancing, drinking, lovemaking and changing fortunes. There is a notable lack of religion in the work, apart from a worldly Abbot, although the famous opening and closing hymns have a Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) quality. It is a near pagan world, invoking the goddess Fortuna, and almost pantheistic in its rites of Spring. People go about their lives unaware of the great forces that could overwhelm them, whether it was the plague, war, the Last Day. Now we have cruise missiles, wars, famine, natural disasters.

It was oddly familiar then as the choir, from a standing start, burst into the opening hymn, with a kind of controlled abandon, urged on by director Justin Bindley. Percussion is key to the work, whether crashing like the hammer blows of fate or delicate when necessary, all carried off with panache by members of Percussion East. The Spring songs were like a vocal version of the crocuses appearing each year after winter, while the piano (Katie Vaughan and John Witchell) supplemented that energy in the dance numbers. Tavern songs were rollicking and love songs honey sweet.

Baritone Oskar McCarthy, whose CV attributes include clowning and mime, can seldom have had such a showcase for his talents. First singing, with a fresh austerity, about the warming sun, he subsequently had to undergo a range of emotions, from comic to fierce. His performance pinned you to the wall and was like a one-man version of the whole evening. We did not see enough of tenor David Menezes; but his song as a swan being roasted on a spit captured the daftness of the idea, sung with an arresting seriousness. Soprano Hannah Dobra has a voice that is both crystalline and velvet, with notes that ought to be unreachable and which seemed to go on forever. 

The concert was in the local school and featured a pleasing appearance by members of the Sancroft Academy Choir.  The medieval and modern worlds have both lived under severe threats; but they brimmed with music, song and dance, acknowledged here by a standing ovation.

Basil Abbott

HCS REVIEW

I was privileged enough to sneak into the afternoon rehearsal of Harleston Choral Society’s performance of Carmina Burana, the 2 piano & percussion version. Being the Society’s accompanist, I obviously have a soft spot for them but by the same token, feel able to say things as they are; WOW is what I say. The concert is a celebration of 25 years of HCS and I doubt they thought when they first started all those years ago that they’d get to this!

From the opening instrumental smash – literally – of O Fortuna (the Old Spice advert) to the reprise at the end, this was a spine-tingling rendition of music that isn’t too well known, but if performances like this are anything to go by then every society should do it. What I particularly loved and appreciated was the togetherness of singers & musicians, no mean feat. This will be down to the hard work put in at every rehearsal and something for which the MD Justin Bindley should be highly praised for indeed. It takes a brave man to take this work on; so many difficult rhythms and awkward instrumental areas that were beautifully crafted and made to sound easy. 

This wasn’t just singing of a high level though… it was a real performance, a rare thing from an ‘amateur’ choir. Because Harleston is able to procure professional musicians, I personally think that helps to raise the chorus’ standards. How often do you hear a top C pop out? And it was a good one too! The vocal soloists were all on brilliant form, able to convey the mood of the music perfectly. My personal favourite number, In Trutina, was sublime and in complete contrast to the noisier offerings. The men deserve a big shoutout for their singing, some wonderfully lyrical moments and a sheer delight to watch.

Overall I would have to say that this is the best I’ve ever heard from HCS (not sure what that says about me not being involved) and simply confirms my thought that they are THE BEST choir in the area, bar none. Hearty congrats to everybody involved, it made me very emotional and that is a rare thing for me with music these days. Thank you all!

Karen Smith

Comments from some members of the audience

       I just wanted to congratulate you, and the choir, on a magnificent performance on Saturday night. Pulling all that together must have been an enormous task…so many words to learn, so many tricky rhythms to memorise, and finally putting it all together with such an excellent group of musicians

       From the opening instrumental smash – literally – of O Fortuna (the Old Spice advert) to the reprise at the end, this was a spine-tingling rendition of music that isn’t too well known, but if performances like this are anything to go by then every society should do it. What I particularly loved and appreciated was the togetherness of singers & musicians, no mean feat. This will be down to the hard work put in at every rehearsal and something for which the MD Justin Bindley should be highly praised for indeed. It takes a brave man to take this work on; so many difficult rhythms and awkward instrumental areas that were beautifully crafted and made to sound easy.

     I was really pleased to see how the group has developed and membership has grown since 2020. The choir’s diction, intonation (despite the extremely hot and somewhat airless hall), and commitment to bringing the music and drama off the page, was very impressive. The rapturous standing ovation by the enthusiastic audience at the end of the concert was very well deserved. Well done to Justin for bringing together a first class group of musicians and vocal soloists for the event, and congratulations to the ‘ragazzi’ from the school (more properly ragazze in this case) who surely had the amazing choral experience of their lives to date !

    I wanted to say what a phenomenal concert it was tonight.  I enjoyed every single moment, trying to pick a favourite part would be like trying to pick a favourite star.  It was a real credit to you for all your hard work in putting it together, what a privilege it was to be there tonight.

  Such a brilliant concert, we were [almost literally] blown away !

See the About Us and Location and Contact sections of the website www.harlestonchoralsoc.org for more information about HCS, or contact our joint Chairs, Caroline Rodbourne at caroline@rodbourne.org.uk and jo.curry@sky.com .  Or follow Harleston Choral Society on Facebook.

STOP PRESS

Another ‘can’t miss’ date for your diaries: a Come & Sing Workshop – selections from Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, plus the Hallelujah Chorus – on Saturday 16th August 2025, 10.00 am – 4.30 pm, in St James Village Hall IP19 0HP, open to all.  Tickets £10.00, soup and roll for lunch £5.00.  More information and to book please email amanda.fletcher111@gmail.com

And another unmissable date – our Autumn Term begins on Monday 1 September, 7.00 pm for a 7.30 start, when we’ll begin rehearsing for our Christmas Concert on Saturday 6 December, in St John’s Church, Harleston. Practices are on a Monday night from 7.30 – 9.30 pm, in The London Road Church at Harleston, IP20 9BH.  Parking is available in the The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) car park opposite.

25th Anniversary party 25th January 2025

Happy Birthday to the Harleston Choral Society

What a fabulous event we had on Saturday afternoon! About 60 of us celebrated 25 years of Harleston Choral. A massive spread of wonderful food was assembled and a magnificent cake. Many thanks to all those of you who helped make it a really lovely occasion.

See more images and memories of choir members here.

Magic Little Grant

South Norfolk Community Grant

We have been awarded a £500 South Norfolk Community Grant towards the cost of our 25th Anniversary Concert on 28 June.  Our thanks go to John Formston, HCS Committee Member; and to Trevor Graham, Harleston Conservative District Councillor, and James Eddy, Harleston Labour District Councillor, who shared the grant between their Community Grant budgets.  We’re grateful for all their hard work in making the grant possible

We received a Magic Little Grant through the partnership between Localgiving and Postcode Places
Trust
. Postcode Places Trust is a grant-giving charity funded by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Localgiving is the UK’s leading membership and support network for local charities and community
groups. Our project received £500 towards our Christmas choir concert.

You can donate to the Harleston Choral Society through our Local Giving page and you can find out more about how to play and support more charities with the People’s Postcode Lottery here.

View some images from our rehearsals here.

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