Review by Mike Wheeler

DERBY Bach Choir wrapped up its 50th anniversary celebrations with music by JS Bach himself.

Cantata 140 got off to a slightly restrained start. Both the opening chorus and the first soprano-bass duet had a rather 'best behaviour' feel to them. Things really got into their stride in the second chorale verse, taken at a good swinging tempo. There was a nice buoyant feel to the second duet and a glowing warmth to the final chorale.

In Parts 1, 3 and 6 of Bach's Christmas Oratorio everyone was really on form, apart from a few chorus tenor leads that seemed under-powered. The chorales had a pretty much ideal balance of simplicity and expressive shaping, and the big opening and closing choruses to each part were nicely buoyant and lively.

Soprano Grace Davidson sounded fresh and eager in her Part 6 aria. Contralto Flora York Skinner was possibly a little too Verdian in her first number in Part One, but settled into a fine sense of style later. Tenor Mark Wilde was a persuasive Evangelist and Eamonn Dougan (bass) injected real zip and sparkle into his aria in Part One. The Orchestra of Musica Donum Dei contributed neat, stylish playing.