Concert Review
Hastings Choral Society
Directed by Joseph Christensen
Fantasias for Christmas
St Matthew's Church, Hastings
Sunday 4 December
Reviewed by Peter Williams
This very successful concert gave a unique perspective to Christmas, with three Fantasias, each by a different composer, each concentrating on a particular aspect of the festive season.
The best known was Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams, a composer who had a particular interest in English folk song and he used his skill in this field in combining well-known carols.
This Fantasia made a fine start to the programme with confident singing from the choir as conductor Joseph Christensen deftly linked each of the contrasted carols - all enhanced by the impeccable performance of baritone soloist Richard Harris with his arresting solo opening, clear diction and dynamic presentation.
A Christmas Fantasy by Gilbert Vintner involved lines from numerous contrasted carols, again cleverly linked and featuring confident singing from individual sections of the choir.