‘Bags
of good Christmas sparkle’

Oxford Bach Choir: Sheldonian
Theatre

·        
By Giles Woodforde »

The “I can’t hear you”
routine is an essential part of every panto, and it has become a staple at the
Oxford Bach Choir’s annual Carols for All concert. Mind you, conductor Timothy
Byram-Wigfield develops it with much more refinement than the average panto
dame: he gently asks one side of the Sheldonian audience whether they can hear
the other side. The answer is, of course, “No!” This all takes place during a
performance of The Twelve Days of Christmas, with the audience being divided
into 12 singing sections.

This year the routine only
collapsed twice — not bad going. And which section sang best? Absolutely no
comment, I don’t want any poison pen letters winging my way. The concert had
set off with the Bach Choir delivering Jingle Bells at a snappy pace, and with
pin-sharp diction. Then nicely contrasted David Willcocks arrangements of
Sussex Carol, Infant Holy and Ding dong! Merrily on High.

A Willcocks arrangement
featured again when the Bach Choir joined forces with the specially-formed
Oxfordshire Young Singers for Away in a Manger. The Singers (conductor Anne
Paul Jones) had earlier sparkled in their own set, beginning with Christmas
Chopsticks, and ending with a hilarious interpretation of Jan Holdstock’s You
can’t dodge the census, complete with hand movements. The Oxfordshire Youth
Brass Ensemble, directed by Mike Prowen, featured too: starting with Christmas
Crackers, they handled some tricky moments and sharp speed changes with
confidence. Then it was back to the Bach Choir for carols by Bob Chilcott, John
Rutter, and John Gardner — whose death at 94 has just been announced.

This jolly occasion delivered
bags of good Christmas sparkle. Spirited singing was greatly aided by slick
stage management of the different groups, and by Ghislaine Reece-Trapp’s deft
organ accompaniment — she achieved miracles on the Sheldonian’s dreary
electronic instrument.

Oxford
Times 22 Dec 2011