Eternal Light, Oldham Choral Society, RNCM Concert Hall, 7 November 2014 – A compelling commemoration of WWIOldham Choral Society under their conductor Nigel P. Wilkinson with professional soloists and orchestra gave a moving performance of Eternal Light by composer, choral guru and educator Howard Goodall. This accessible and eclectic work made a moving contribution to the main aspect of this commemoration: the outbreak of WWI. The society can add this to their impressive requiem repertoire.

Soloists Stephanie Stanway (soprano), Hollie-anne Bangham (mezzo soprano), Simon Crosby Buttle (tenor) and Dean Robinson (bass-baritone) all added professional poise and keen interpretations throughout the evening, and the East Lancs Sinfonia provided effective orchestral backings.

The first half ended with a poignant act of remembrance entitled ‘We will remember them’. Consisting of excellent readings by students from Oldham’s Blue Coat School, songs from the soloists, and the bugle playing of the Last Post and Reveille separated by silence, all conspired to create a memorable atmosphere befitting the occasion.

The 2nd half comprised Haydn’s Mass In Time of War (Missa in pempore belli). Although sometimes called the ‘Kettledrum Mass’ because of the use of the instrument in the unsettled nature of some passages, it is not a descriptive work. Haydn’s classical setting does not dwell on things temporal but transcends them with a triumphal C major finale of ‘dona nobis pacem’, which the chorus of over 130 voices thoroughly relished.

The evening also commemorated the newly-reopened and augmented concert hall of the Royal Northern College of Music, one of Europe’s prime conservatoires and alma mater of the conductor, soloists and many other musicians. Only about 10 miles from the centre of Oldham, this will make a splendid venue for their thriving choral society hopefully for many years to come.

Dr Joe Dawson