BACKNANG CHURCH CHOIR

BACKNANG CHURCH CHOIR

at Chelmsford Cathedral

04.11.11

The Kantorei der Stiftskirche, Backnang made a welcome return to the county town to give a very well supported lunchtime concert.

They began with Schein, an early Baroque composer, followed by Schutz. The centre-piece of their programme was a marvellously energetic performance of Bach's Singet dem Herrn, and they ended with two pieces from the Romantic repertoire, by Albert Becker, also very brightly sung, and Mendelssohn's setting of Psalm 91.

Their director, Hans-Joachim Renz, also chose Mendelssohn for his organ interludes, from the Sonata in B flat, which sounded splendid on the nave organ.

On the next day, the German choir joined their hosts, the Chelmsford Singers, in a joint concert featuring more Schutz, more Mendelssohn as well as favourites from Mozart, Bruckner and Handel, with Stephen Tilton sharing the podium with Renz.