This review is taken from the Monday 22nd March 2010 edition of the South Wales Argus, and is available here


A treasure of choral music written in an accessible style yet with contemporary resonances is waiting to be plundered by amateur choirs.

Much of it is living American, represented in terms of popularity by the older generation's Morten Lauridsen and the younger one's Eric Whitacre, both of whom make their challenges manageable.

Cwmbran Baroque Singers have never let the musical epoch enshrined in their name restrict their programming, often leaning on the 20th century for works that show their flexibility.

So the heaviest investment in this Passiontide concert, in terms of single items, was Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, a composition whose simplicity - a contrapuntal texture derived from canon and a setting of sacred Latin texts - is deceptive and slow to resolve.

The choir took control of its long, undulating flow and conductor Alan Moore was ever aware of the Welsh Sinfonia's important role in ensuring its colours were also illuminating. Not least of the choir's exertions was in the central unaccompanied motet, a free-standing guise already assumed with poise in Lauridsen’s Ave Maria - shorter but again meditative.

There was deliciously intertwining singing from Anne Price Jones and Alyson Jones in Haydn’s Missa Brevis in F, almost a choral concertante for two sopranos, and Alyson’s soaring line in Bruch’s rarely-heard Jubilate, Amen, literally ended the programme on a secure high note.

For trenchant choral singing there was also Vivaldi’s Credo and Haydn’s more inventive Responsoria de venerabili Sacramento, their variety of tempo contributing to the evening’s interest.
NIGEL JARRETT

Unfortunately, this year’s Winter Warm-Up was cancelled due to the extreme weather that was with us for most of January. We apologise to all those members and friends who were looking forward to the event, but we confirm that we have made provisional arrangements for the Winter Warm-Up to take place next january, again at the Glen-Yr-Afon.

We thank the friendly staff at the Glen-Yr-Afon for being so accommodating, and for agreeing to look after us again next year.

This year's Winter Warm-Up takes place at the Glen-Yr-Afon House Hotel, Usk on Saturday 16th January. Arrive at 7pm to eat at 7.30.

The cost this year is £20.50 per head - please make cheques payable to 'CWMBRAN BAROQUE SINGERS'. Monies are being collected by Damian Lines - please bring to the next rehearsal or email me so that I may provide my postal address.

Best wishes for a Happy Christmas to you all.

Following this evening's AGM, the committee members remain unchanged, save for two positions. Jonathan Williams takes over from our outgoing Chairman, Huw Davies, who has retired from the committee after over a decade of hard work.

The new Alto representative on the committee has been confirmed as Olwen Howard.

We wish the new committee members well.

Following this evening's rehearsal, please note that we will be performing the following numbers from Messiah. Please ensure that you annotate your copies accordingly.

4, 9, 12, 14-17, 23-28, 34, 35, 38, 39, 44-46, 53

Many thanks.