Talented choir delivers charming music on idyllic summer’s evening

BENSON Choral Society’s summer concert on Saturday was an evening of delight, charm and talent.

The clever, jazzy programme under the direction of talented conductor Steven Grahl was perfect for the idyllic summer’s evening at Dorchester Abbey.

Not only was the choir in fine voice and good cheer, but the programme included two instrumental interludes by three professional musicians, Anita D’Attellis (piano solo) and Steve Kershaw on double bass playing with Grahl on piano. The choir opened the concert with confident singing of George Shearing’s Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare.

Words were clear, there were plenty of musical contrasts and the singers clearly enjoyed singing. D’Attellis accompanied the choir with aplomb and with some great glissando flourishes from time to time.

More Shearing music followed with Grahl leaving the podium to play the piano with Kershaw on double bass, a terrific combination.

The audience were treated to top performances of three summertime melodies, Whisper Not, Darn That Dream and Lullaby on Birdland. The first half ended with the choir singing John Rutter’s arrangement of Down by the Riverside.

This gradually built as the tune was passed between sections of the choir. The basses were able to keep a steady beat underlying the tune and finally there was a great rich tapestry of sound as the triumphant conclusion.

Shearing’s Music to Hear, which is a choral suite using Shakespeare’s words, opened the second half.

This appeared a little trickier for the choir. There was some hesitancy leading to a little untidiness but there was plenty of enthusiasm, especially in the final Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind.

Another treat followed when D’Attellis played three Gershwin piano preludes: in B-flat major, Allegro Ben Ritmato e deciso; C-sharp minor Andante con moto; E-flat minor, Allegro Ben Ritmato e diciso. She played with verve and passion, a tour de force: what a treat.

The concert concluded with the choir singing Rutter’s Birthday Madrigals, which include well-known rhymes and ditties including It was a lover and his lass (Shakespeare) and Come live with me (attributed to Marlow and Raleigh).

The choir took a few moments to find their full voice but once back into the swing, produced some lovely harmonies with strong contributions from each section. When Daisies Pied brought this very successful concert to a rollicking end.

Susan Edwards