ROSEMARY PETTITT reviews the Ilkley and Otley Choral Societie s’ concert at St Margaret's Church, Ilkley.

As part of the Ilkley Arts Fesitival the Ilkley and Otley Choral societies gave performances of ‘Dona Nobis Paccm' by Vaughan Williamsams and the 'Mass in C Minor  K 427' by Mozart under  their  conductor Alan Horsey.

They were accompanied by the  Yorkshire Chamber Ensemble with Pat Jordan at the piano and led by Sally Robinson.

The Vaughan Williams, written in the 1930s with the approach of the Second World War, was a considerable  challenge for the choir with constantly changing metre and cross rhythms.

The choir produced some beautiful sounds as in `We Looked For Peace' but the dramatic tension was lacking in `Beat Beat The Drums' and ‘IHear The Drums Pounding', partly through lack of clear diction and some insecurities.

The soloists Joanne Dexter (soprano) and Chris Gulley (bass) along with some sensitive and dramatic string and piano playing, added great warmth and colour to, the per­formance.

After the interval the choir was much more at ease in the Mass by Mozart. They were joined by Joanne Dexter, Laura Trayburn (mezzo), James Griffet (tenor) and Chris Gulley with the orchestra expanded.

The choir shone in 'Cum Sancto Spiritu' with a well controlled fugue and thrilling climaxes here and in the 'Osanna' supported by excellent brass playing.

There is a good balance in

work between choir and solo items as well as fine writing for woodwind and brass.

The opening of the `Et Incarnate Est' was sensitively played by wood­wind and Joanne Dexter's fine clear voice rang out in the church's beautiful acoustic.

An excellent performance of the ‘Laudamus Te' was given by the mezzo Layra Trayburn with well focussed leaps and clear coloratura.

The finale voices were well matched in the Domine Deus' as was James Griffet's voice in the trio and there was good support from Chris Gulley in the quartet. Overall this was a fine performance.