African Sanctus offers World Cup respite

The bellowing horns that have already made their mark on the opening days of South Africa's World Cup certainly met their match in the cacophony of sound and spirit resonating in this splendid performance.

David Fanshawe's sanctus is a remarkable weaving together of the traditional Latin mass with traditional African music recorded 40 years ago.

While football stadiums may be ringing out with the blast of the vuvuzela, Fanshawe's work boasts mooing cows, bells, rain storms, weeping and music that goes straight to the heart.

The choir, joined by 120 schoolchildren, rose to the challenge brilliantly, if sometimes fighting against the volume of the recording. But even when melodies were slightly lost, meticulous attention to conductor Philip Scriven, saw an impressive array of sustained end notes.

Singers, instrumentalists and audience alike were steeped in a sense of fun and the whole evening formed a wonderful ending to Philip's association with the choir.

Congratulations also to the revered Backbeat Percussion Quartet who were not only integral to proceedings but provided a musical starter, and to soprano soloist Elizabeth Cragg, who sang sublimely.

The evening, awash with colour and talent, was one to savour and remember.

By Sarah Cowen.