Masses of Masses Grand Finale!

7 December 2015

On Saturday just over one hundred members of the Northampton Bach Choir were joined by five magnificent soloists and the Bach Camerata in a performance of two of Haydn’s most remarkable Masses alongside the Toy Symphony, sometimes attributed to him (though perhaps more likely by Leopold Mozart).

Vicar, Banker and Councillor amongst others in Toy Symphony

The concert was held on the Eve of St Nicholas’s Day and so Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai was the obvious choice, and this was swiftly followed by (again, appropriate for the Eve of the Patron Saint of Children, and forefather of Santa Claus) the Toy Symphony. The second half of the concert was a very rare performance of Haydn’s Great ‘Organ Solo’ Mass, featuring Director of Music at St Matthew’s, Stephen Moore, on a very special ‘box’ organ.

Listening to the Balance our MD brings in the Sopranos

A near Full Capacity Audience

The near-capacity audience heard stunning performances from all, not least our four vocal soloists; it was a particular delight to hear Stephen George’s tenor solos – Stephen was a member of the Bach Choir until earlier in 2015 and we wish him well with his continued solo career, and work as Lay Clerk at Peterborough Cathedral. Our toy soloists included the Vicar of St Matthew’s Church, our President, a local County Councillor, a ‘Friend’ of the Choir, and representatives from educational establishments including NMPAT and the Higher Education sector. Not quite a butcher, baker, and candlestick maker, but nearly!

Missa Sancti Nicolai in Full Flow

We are always delighted when members of the audience write to us on Twitter, Facebook, E-mail, or ‘Snail’ mail … and after the concert we received more notes thanking us for such a fine performance than ever before – some of the quotes are peppered throughout this news item. This was a perfect way to conclude our Masses of Masses season, where we traced the Masses of Bach, Haydn and Mozart – writing within a small geographical area and time period. What wonderful diversity and incredible music!