Jesus wore orange socks... 

After a difficult day yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford to hear the Oxford Bach Choir performing The Apostles by Sir Edward Elgar. Most people, I imagine, have never even heard of this work, and I, though I had heard of it, had never listened to it until Judy (my wife) announced she would be singing it at this concert.

Judy sings soprano in the said choir, who, though an amateur group, set very high standards of performance in their 3-4 concerts each year. I go to every performance if I can, both to support my wife and the choir, and because I love the music. God loves us to sing and to hear the sound of singing.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!

I always enjoy going... but this was something else. Where do I begin? The orchestra: no less than the Philharmonia - from London, you know - was as fresh as any I have ever heard. A great mix of youth, age and experience; every one (to my ears) sounding engaged in something they love and with a sense of togetherness that was tangible. Ben Nicholas, the choir's conductor and musical director looked perfectly at home and totally in control as he took us all - choir, orchestra, soloists and audience - through this magnificent work. I was spellbound.

The Apostles, completed by Elgar in 1902, is rarely performed, due to the requirement for large musical forces, from full symphony orchestra, through six soloists, to a choir of 400. We had the symphony orchestra; we had the six soloists (more about them later); but where was the choir of 400? From the programme, I counted a total of 128 in the choir. What a remarkable achievement for this number not only to hold its own in a work of this magnitude, but to present such a balanced, dynamic, moving and uplifting performance that we knew - as Ben held the moment after the last note had died away - that we had just witnessed something exceptional.

I confess, I am not easily pleased as a concert goer. I expect clean entries from choir and orchestra alike. I expect maintenance of tone and intonation throughout the dynamic range, regardless of note length, articulation... but I'm starting to sound pompous. Sorry, let's just say I'm a bit picky. In this fantastic rendition, I found nothing that impacted my enjoyment... nothing.

And what about those soloists: