Conductor Adrian Lucas never fails to provide Worcester with a packed Christmas stocking of music. Even he would probably agree that all expectations had been exceeded with this concert, for it truly sparkled and glittered………….Finzi’s In Terra Pax was the highlight of the night by a clear margin. Worcester Festival Choral Society was on particular good form, delivering an exquisitely beautiful O Little Town of Bethlehem, a piece that was endowed with an almost ethereal quality.

This was a night of glorious music in a perfect setting. What would Worcester do without Adrian Lucas and his baton…or is it actually a magic wand ?

Under the baton of Adrian Lucas, the Worcester Festival Choral Society and Queen’s Park Sinfonia gave a rendition of Handel’s great oratorio to fulfil the audience’s need for tradition of this kind. It was just right for getting everyone in the mood for Christmas.  

The evening also had all the energy that we expect not only from Adrian Lucas but also the choruses and orchestras he conducts. The well known Hallelujah chorus had such vitality that the audience’s standing up seemed to express reverence for the performance as much as for Handel himself.    Lucas Ball, Worcester News

  

The performance of Handel’s Messiah conducted by Adrian Lucas with Worcester Festival Choral Society, Queen’s Park Sinfonia and soloists fulfilled all the expectations we now anticipate from them……..“Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain” followed by the “Amen” had the choir giving superb performances with all the colour and rhythm that is predominant in the composer’s work. For a packed cathedral, on the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death, this was without doubt an evening to remember.            Margaret Campbell

Margaret Campbell writes: The concert given by WFCS, soloists and the Westminster Chamber Orchestra conducted by Adrian Lucas gave an unforgettable performance of these two works. Although differing in style, both works were tackled admirably by all concerned. The performance of the Scarlatti was authentic and colourful throughout, whilst the Duruflé brought a different mood in which all performers brought out the tragic underlying influences. The choir and conductor are to be congratulated on being able to achieve this and a very special mention must be made of the boy trebles who gave an outstanding performance of the Pie Jesu.

Margaret Campbell (FRSA), a music journalist from the Independent,  writes:

 

Brahms’s ‘German’ Requiem is a compelling composition by anyone’s standards, but when it receives a performance such as that given in Worcester Cathedral on Saturday 28 March, by the Worcester Festival Choral Society, the ESO conducted by Adrian Lucas, and two outstanding soloists, it is riveting.

 

From the opening bars, ‘Blessed are they that mourn’ to the final chorus, ‘Blessed are the dead’, Adrian Lucas had both orchestra and chorus under his control so that every nuance and change of colour could be felt. Thus the choir was able to give a fortissimo that would fill the cathedral, or a pianissimo that whispered without being lost.

 

In Part II ‘For all flesh is as grass’ was bone-chilling, whereas ‘How lovely are thy dwellings’ was given warmth and assurance. This change of colour was apparent throughout and both choir and conductor are to be congratulated.

 

The soloists also gave outstanding performances. Soprano Alwyn Mellor has a beautifully produced tone which she can colour at will but at the same time is able to convey the underlying seriousness of her message. By the same token baritone Jonathan Gunthorpe gave a spine-chilling interpretation of the frailty of humanity and almost achieves a tenor quality in his higher register.