If ever there was a serenade to music, there was this concert. Ely Choral Society and Ely Sinfonia with a full complement of performers, combined to give rich resonance to the gorgeous melodic material and full harmonies offered by many of the compositions.   

The most mesmerising works were Fantasia on Greensleeves and Serenade to Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams.   

When I heard the flute and harp begin the opening Fantasia on Greensleeves I knew we were in for an evening of very high-quality music: the very reason for us attending a live performance when the quality of the music is so much more noticeable.

Ely Standard: Andrew Parnell with the solo pianist, Natalie Williams-Wandoch.Andrew Parnell with the solo pianist, Natalie Williams-Wandoch. (Image: Rosemary Westwell) 

This was followed by an exquisite warmth from the strings that lead us into the familiar Greensleeves melody. We were transfixed.   

I thought that the Beethoven pieces offered would be more mundane, less sophisticated items, but they proved their worth with the excitement and new life that the conductors, Steve Bingham and Andrew Parnell, managed to infuse in this 19th century composer’s works. Symphony number 8 conducted by Steve Bingham was particularly alive.  

Choral Fantasia by Beethoven was well managed by conductor Andrew Parnell and much of the opening gave the solo pianist, Natalie Williams-Wandoch, a change to flourish while typical Beethoven contrast and agile runs gave moments of fine virtuosic display.  

Ely Standard: The harpist, Bonnie Scott.The harpist, Bonnie Scott. (Image: Rosemary Westwell)

The real message of the work came when the choir quietly entered, only to build up to raise joyous extolling of the beauty of nature in typical Beethoven style.   

A more modern approach to full texture and many-noted chords was provided by Bob Chilcott’s Canticles of Light when there were more obvious clashes included within the texture. The choir rose to the challenge magnificently and the Youth Choir’s angelic singing above was wonderful.  

This was indeed a most successful concert and one day many more local people will come to realize that there is no need to travel great distances to hear excellent music – they only need to come to Ely Cathedral to hear Ely Choral Society and Ely Sinfonia in action.

Ely Standard: Steve Bingham.Steve Bingham. (Image: Rosemary Westwell)   

Ely Choral Society may be heard again on Saturday October 21 at 7.30 p.m. in Ely Cathedral performing Gloria by Vivaldi and Mass in D by Dvorak.  

Ely Sinfonia may be heard next on Saturday September 23 at 7.30 p.m. performing their Autumn Concert.