Concert review by James Day from the January 2005 edition of 'Cambridgeshire Pride'. Used with permission.

Cambridge Philharmonic Society, Great St Mary's Church, 27 November 2004

Under Martin West, the Cambridge Philharmonic Society has developed a knack of juxtaposing works that contrast colourfully yet complement one another effectively. Their well-attended early evening concert at Great St Mary's Church on November 27 comprised two works only: Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments and Bruckner's Mass in E minor.

The Stravinsky piece is not easy to bring off. Much depends on the manner in which the conductor manages the balance of the ensemble and his choice of contrasting temp. This was a very well-integrated performance: the various sections fitted well together, and the Phil's wind and brass sections were on excellent form.

The Phil's musicians rose to the challenge of the Bruckner E minor Mass efficiently, but the singers didn't seem to find the acoustic of Great St Mary's entirely to their liking. Perhaps its dryness and comparatively short reverberation period suited Stravinsky rather than Bruckner, as the choral sound was at times rather harsh. Intonation was sometimes a bit of a problem, too. But there was also a self-confidence and integrity about the performance as a whole, chorus and wind-band alike watching their conductor intently, and many passages where the singers displayed great sensitivity and excellent diction, projecting the sense of the text in a very moving manner. The soft singing was most impressive, with genuine pianissimi.

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