Press Reviews
Below are press reviews of Sussex Chorus Concerts.
5 March 2017
Family Carol Concert Review - 2016
"... the large choir .... lifted us into the heartiest Christmas cheer."
30 March 2015
French Sacred Music Concert Rerview
(56 kB PDF file)I'd not heard Sussex Chorus since Alan Vincent took the helm and he clearly knows what he wants from them. They sang as a tight, well controlled unit throughout the evening, and he must be pleased with their performance.
12 January 2015
The festively decorated King's Church in Burgess Hill buzzed with Yuletide spirit for Sussex Chorus’ annual early evening family Christmas concert on 22nd December.
Review of Christmas Concert
(422 kB PDF file)The festively decorated King's Church in Burgess Hill buzzed with Yuletide spirit for Sussex Chorus’ annual early evening family Christmas concert on 22nd December.
2 June 2014
The choir acquitted themselves very well, particularly in Mozart's beautiful motet ‘Ave Verum Corpus’ (1791) which sounded most ethereal and exquisitely phrased.
Review of Summer Concert
(174 kB PDF file)The choir acquitted themselves very well, particularly in Mozart's beautiful motet ‘Ave Verum Corpus’ (1791) which sounded most ethereal and exquisitely phrased.
2 June 2014
On a cool, May evening, the Sussex Chorus and the Musicians of All Saints,under the Chorus’ recently appointed conductor, Alan Vincent, gave an enjoyable concert in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton to an appreciative audience.
Review of Summer Concert
(53 kB PDF file)On a cool, May evening, the Sussex Chorus and the Musicians of All Saints,under the Chorus’ recently appointed conductor, Alan Vincent, gave an enjoyable concert in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton to an appreciative audience.
21 May 2014
In the first concert with new Music Director and Conductor Alan Vincent, Sussex Chorus turned to the perennial favourite, Händel’s Messiah, to show off its talents.
Review of Messiah Concert
(341 kB PDF file)In the first concert with new Music Director and Conductor Alan Vincent, Sussex Chorus turned to the perennial favourite, Händel’s Messiah, to show off its talents.
15 July 2013
A Festival of Britten - review of Britten Concert, 6 April 2013
The choir performed with a quality of diction and reassurance of tone which the pieces deserved.2 June 2013
Review of Haydn's The Creation, 25 May 2013
Haydn’s evergreen Oratorio The Creation was given an wholly new presentation by the excellent Sussex Chorus under Maestro Neil Jenkins, Soloists and Southern Pro Musica Orchestra on a mild, May evening in Brighton’s musical barn, St Bartholomew’s church.12 January 2013
This first-rate concert justified both his work and the choir’s sterling efforts.
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
(79 kB PDF file)This first-rate concert justified both his work and the choir’s sterling efforts.
15 April 2012
Russian Programme - Sussex Chorus 31st March 2012
Andrew Cregeen's review for Words & Music of our Russian Concert
11 July 2011
Review of 90th Birthday Concert 3 July 2010
(128 kB PDF file)published in the Argus on 11 July 2010
1 February 2010
Excellent reviews of Handel's Messiah, conducted by Sir David Willcocks to celebrate his 90th Birthday.
Reviews of Messiah, January 2010
(584 kB PDF file)Excellent reviews of Handel's Messiah, conducted by Sir David Willcocks to celebrate his 90th Birthday.
16 November 2009
Musical Fireworks in a Memorable Performance
Review of Verdi Requiem November 2009
(54 kB PDF file)Musical Fireworks in a Memorable Performance
30 March 2009
"they displayed another aspect of the technique for which Neil Jenkins has made the Chorus deservedly famous"
Review of 'Glorias' 29 March 2009
(54 kB PDF file)"they displayed another aspect of the technique for which Neil Jenkins has made the Chorus deservedly famous"
27 November 2008
Chorus' Uplifting Evening
Review of Brahms Requiem in Mid Sussex Times
(54 kB PDF file)Chorus' Uplifting Evening
26 October 2008
Gordon Bull says 'It was a delight for my inaugural visit to Worth Abbey..'
Gerontius Review: 'Orchestral Delights'
(54 kB PDF file)Gordon Bull says 'It was a delight for my inaugural visit to Worth Abbey..'
20 July 2008
Mark Gale says 'Paradise end for Elgar's best'.
Mid Sussex Times Review of Dream of Gerontius July 2008
(54 kB PDF file)Mark Gale says 'Paradise end for Elgar's best'.
13 March 2008
Mark Gale says 'The Creation was well and truly delivered and there was much joy and acclamation to behold'.
Review of Haydn The Creation, March 2008
(54 kB PDF file)Mark Gale says 'The Creation was well and truly delivered and there was much joy and acclamation to behold'.
24 May 2007
Rashid Karapiet reviews the Sussex Chorus Summer Concert held in Lancing College Chapel on 12 May 2007.
Press Review of Summer Concert, May 2007
(54 kB PDF file)Rashid Karapiet reviews the Sussex Chorus Summer Concert held in Lancing College Chapel on 12 May 2007.
13 March 2007
Elijah may not be quite as familiar today as it was almost a century ago but the impressive forces gathered under Neil Jenkins' baton in Worth Abbey quickly reminded us what a masterpiece this still is. (To be published in The Organ.)
Report on Mendelssohn - ELIJAH (4 March 2007) by Brian Hicks
(54 kB PDF file)Elijah may not be quite as familiar today as it was almost a century ago but the impressive forces gathered under Neil Jenkins' baton in Worth Abbey quickly reminded us what a masterpiece this still is. (To be published in The Organ.)
13 March 2007
Sussex Chorus, representing both the Prophets of Baal and the Hebrew people proved itself to be well up to the task. Sussex Chorus sang with good intonation throughout and there were periods of sublime singing in the quieter passages.
Report on ELIJAH (4 March 2007) by Malcolm Ollis
(54 kB PDF file)Sussex Chorus, representing both the Prophets of Baal and the Hebrew people proved itself to be well up to the task. Sussex Chorus sang with good intonation throughout and there were periods of sublime singing in the quieter passages.
16 November 2006
Mark Gale reports 'there could hardly be a better way to honour the fallen and mark Armistice Day... It was a musical tribute that said everything. A masterpiece had been vividly rendered'.
Mid Sussex Times on War Requiem: A Tribute that said Everything
(54 kB PDF file)Mark Gale reports 'there could hardly be a better way to honour the fallen and mark Armistice Day... It was a musical tribute that said everything. A masterpiece had been vividly rendered'.
2 February 2006
Mark Gale writes "On this occasion, though, the honours went to the choir who expressly conveyed the devout mood of the music and were never thrown by the shifting dynamics of the piece".
Press Report in Mid Sussex Times on Mozart Concert
(54 kB PDF file)Mark Gale writes "On this occasion, though, the honours went to the choir who expressly conveyed the devout mood of the music and were never thrown by the shifting dynamics of the piece".
1 February 2006
Commenting on the concert on 28 January 2006, Mike Howard concludes that 'Sussex Chorus proved once again that it is indeed a master of choral music in the local area'.
Press Report by The Argus on Mozart Concert
(54 kB PDF file)Commenting on the concert on 28 January 2006, Mike Howard concludes that 'Sussex Chorus proved once again that it is indeed a master of choral music in the local area'.
10 January 2006
Phil Bennett in the Mid Sussex Times writes "The Sussex Chorus gave another distinguised performance on Saturday evening, when its glorious sound swelled around the huge St Bartholomew's Church in Brighton".
Press Report on Christmas Oratorio December 2005
(54 kB PDF file)Phil Bennett in the Mid Sussex Times writes "The Sussex Chorus gave another distinguised performance on Saturday evening, when its glorious sound swelled around the huge St Bartholomew's Church in Brighton".
15 November 2005
Rashid Karapiet in The Argus reports on The Armed Man: 'From the magical opening ... to the savage cataclysms of "Charge!" and the repeated "Hosannas", one was conscious of the breadth and depth of sound'.
Mark Gale in the Mid Sussex Times reported that 'Here then was an impressive musical experience, a dark evocation of the sounds of war and its implications'.
Press Reports on Trafalgar 200 Concert
(54 kB PDF file)Rashid Karapiet in The Argus reports on The Armed Man: 'From the magical opening ... to the savage cataclysms of "Charge!" and the repeated "Hosannas", one was conscious of the breadth and depth of sound'.
Mark Gale in the Mid Sussex Times reported that 'Here then was an impressive musical experience, a dark evocation of the sounds of war and its implications'.
23 May 2005
Also see Mark Gale's review, where he says "everything came sharply into focus. Without distracting from the music, the dramatic ingredients reflected its impact".
Reports on St Matthew Passion
(54 kB PDF file)Also see Mark Gale's review, where he says "everything came sharply into focus. Without distracting from the music, the dramatic ingredients reflected its impact".
15 March 2005
Mark Gale gives his complementary comments on the first performance of The Garden of Love by Malcolm Archer
Press reports on The Garden of Love
(54 kB PDF file)Mark Gale gives his complementary comments on the first performance of The Garden of Love by Malcolm Archer
8 February 2005
Mike Howard from the Argus reports on the concert saying the performance "was a highly-charged affair, with the Sussex Chorus and the soloists bringing out its tenderness and beauty". Phil Clement, Mid Sussex Times said "this was a great achievement for every single person that took part".
Press reports on Charity Concert
(54 kB PDF file)Mike Howard from the Argus reports on the concert saying the performance "was a highly-charged affair, with the Sussex Chorus and the soloists bringing out its tenderness and beauty". Phil Clement, Mid Sussex Times said "this was a great achievement for every single person that took part".
13 November 2004
"voices bravely rode the eye of the storm and switched deftly as required to silken pianissimo .... it seemed a pity the evening was not broadcast."
Press Reports on Verdi Requiem, 13 November 2004
(54 kB PDF file)"voices bravely rode the eye of the storm and switched deftly as required to silken pianissimo .... it seemed a pity the evening was not broadcast."
1 May 2004
"Once again, the Sussex Chorus was in magnificent form, bright and superbly together". Mark Gale, Mid Sussex Times
Press Reports on Brighton Festival Concert, 1 May
(54 kB PDF file)"Once again, the Sussex Chorus was in magnificent form, bright and superbly together". Mark Gale, Mid Sussex Times
17 May 2003
"THEY were right out front and straight in your face with a feast of religious music which even moved this old atheist's heart". Mike Howard, The Argus.
"Bach's Easter Oratorio was the principal work in Ditchling Choral Society's Brighton Festival concert at St Bartholomew's Church, but it was two smaller items in the first half which made the deepest impression". Mark Gale, Mid Sussex Times.
Press Reports on Brighton Festival Concert, 17 May
(54 kB PDF file)"THEY were right out front and straight in your face with a feast of religious music which even moved this old atheist's heart". Mike Howard, The Argus.
"Bach's Easter Oratorio was the principal work in Ditchling Choral Society's Brighton Festival concert at St Bartholomew's Church, but it was two smaller items in the first half which made the deepest impression". Mark Gale, Mid Sussex Times.
6 April 2003
"Certainly the choir was in exemplary form throughout with clear positive phrasing. Their performance never became over sweet, Fling Wide the Gates was given a fresh spontaneous urgency and God So Loved the World was beautifully judged and balanced for the utmost effect". Mark Gale, Mid Sussex Times
Press Reports on Passiontide Concert, 6 April 2003
(54 kB PDF file)"Certainly the choir was in exemplary form throughout with clear positive phrasing. Their performance never became over sweet, Fling Wide the Gates was given a fresh spontaneous urgency and God So Loved the World was beautifully judged and balanced for the utmost effect". Mark Gale, Mid Sussex Times