Haddenham Concert on Saturday 2nd December 2023

In complete contrast to the heat of the June concert in Oxford, Winter came early for our December concert, with freezing weather doing its best to keep St Mary’s Church on the chilly side. Nethertheless, our audience dressed warm for the occasion and were treated to a concert programme of contrasting choral music that well suited the advent of Christmas.

The repertoire ranged from the dramatically stirring ‘Virga Jesse’, by Bruckner, to more reflective nativity pieces by Lauridsen and Warlock. Arrangements by Bob Chilcott of famous carols, provided a distinctly Christmassy feel to the evening.

The main event of the concert was a performance by the choir of J.S Bach’s ‘Jesu, Meine Freude’. With its German text and intricate and exquisite baroque arrangement, it’s a piece that demands sustained concentration and energy.

Both choir and audience enjoyed an interval of wine and snacks before settling down to the second half. The Christmas spirit went into overtime with a spirited rendition of ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ and rounded off with the ever popular ‘Feliz Navidad’.

Proceeds and donations from the concert raised nearly £1000 towards the Friends of St Mary’s Church. and the Haddenham Village Society.