G.F. Handel - Messiah
Sunday 15 December 2019 Music Hall, Aberdeen

The Messiah, performed by Aberdeen Bach Choir and Aberdeen Choral Society, was music at its magnificent best in the stunning Music Hall. 

Very ably supported by the authentic Handel orchestration, beautifully recreated by the Aberdeen Sinfonietta and superbly effective organ playing from David Gerrard, the choirs mastered the many and varied choruses throughout the work.

Their attention to musical detail and diction was commendable, with many highlights, but especially inspiring was the range of tempi and dynamics in the Hallelujah Chorus. Congratulations to Peter Parfitt, the musical director, for bringing a freshness to this and many other sections of the work.

There were multiple memorable moments but outstanding ones were The Trumpet Shall Sound, resonantly sung by Bass Dominic Barberi with sensational solo trumpet playing from Alan Haggart. 

The joyous Christmas recitatives and jubilant Rejoice Greatly were sung, with great control, by Soprano Judith Howarth. 

The clarity and purity of Counter Tenor Nicholas Spanos was inspiring, no more so than his interpretation of He was Despised; the atmosphere he created in the auditorium was electrifying. The recitative Comfort Ye, and aria Every Valley were beautifully interpreted by tenor Nicholas Mulroy.

The choruses from And the Glory, For unto us, Glory to God all the way through to Worthy Is The Lamb were a joy to hear. 

Thank you to all, individually and as a group for providing a first class interpretation of this classic work.