A FIRST and a last!

This was the first time that Winchester Music Club had performed in Winchester College’s New Hall since its refurbishment, the new entrance foyer providing a warm welcome for the capacity audience, who had turned out in force for the last appearance of Nicholas Wilks as musical director of the club.

He is standing down following his appointment as second master at Winchester College.

Nicholas chose Mozart’s C minor Mass K427, a work which Mozart left unfinished due to tragic family circumstances, but contains some wonderful music.

The young soprano soloist Mary Bevan took on the challenging part that Mozart intended for his wife, Constanze.

Her star moment was undoubtedly the Et incarnatus portion of the Credo. Her radiant tone filled the hall as her vocal line intertwined with some excellent playing from the flute, oboe and bassoon – these three players deservedly had their own applause at the end.

Paired with the soprano was another young singer, the mezzo Kitty Whately, who conveyed absolute joy in her singing of the Laudamus te.

Tenor soloist Daniel Auchincloss had a lovely bright sound on his top notes but did not quite cut through enough in his trio with the two sopranos. He fared better in the Benedictus quartet.

The music club chorus was, as always, very well trained and sang with enthusiasm and commitment.

All in all a splendid way for Nick Wilks to leave his directorship. His contribution to the local amateur music scene over 12 years is considerable and he leaves the club in excellent form.

Duncan Eves