Lutyen's setting was perfect, modestly decorated with tea lights round the pillars and an ageing Nativity Scene complete with smug looking Bactrian camel resting in a pen by the crib. This gave rise to animated conversations on the appropriate number of humps that Christmas camels should possess.
“Stand up, be joyful ..” runs the opening phase of Part One and the Chorus certainly did so. Every man, Jack and Jill of them were beaming in anticipation of the sublime music to come. FCS seem to grow in stature and confidence with each performance. Apart from the obvious enthusiasm of its members, this is largely due to the joy and sense of fun transmitted by their conductor, the effervescent Grace Rossiter.
Sadly, in the this piece, the chorus does not have vast amounts to sing, but in the fifth section of the first part, “How can I best admire Thee?” they reverently brought to life a reminder of Bach's master work, the St Matthew Passion.
On Saturday they sang the first three cantatas of the full six that comprise the piece. Each cover an episode in the birth of Jesus (Nativity, Shepherds, Magi etc). Perhaps luckily, the Circumcision wasn't on the evening's programme – I'm yet to be convinced that this counts as hearty festive material.
“Ah dearest Jesus”, right at the end of the first part, delivered sensitively and beautifully, demonstrated the challenge that seems to confront all of our North London choirs – the shortage of male voices: sometimes the music demands that little extra umph. Stephen Jeffes as the Evangelist was really terrific: not only a cracking voice, but also a vocation to be an evangelist and drive the narrative along.
But it is unfair to single him out from the other fabulous soloists who brought so much to the evening. The Florian Chamber Orchestra are excellent, especially the members who rose to the challenges of the solo pieces.
Grace Rossiter really knows this choir and how to inspire and get the best from them. I spoke to one of the basses after the applause had died down: he was on a real high, thrilled with their efforts and performance, and I demanded to know why they couldn't do it all again!
To find our about their next concert, go to www.finchleychoral.org.uk
DAVID WINSKILL Ham and High
