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Not the best known work of Mendelssohn but hey, he knew how to score a good tune and didn't fail us with St Paul' at St Margaret's Church, Ilkley.

Typical and predictable Felix (but none the worse for that), if you like Elijah, you cannot fail to enjoy this work.

Ever well honed by their reliable conductor Alan Horsey, the two societies made a pretty good fist of this oratorio. OK, there were some slightly muddy areas in a couple of the choruses which were less favoured by the singers but that has always been a regrettable feature of choral singing.

They clearly enjoyed Rise Up! Arise! Rise And Shine' at the start of Saul's conversion but the transition into the chorale Sleepers Wake' (why was Felix so deferential to JSB?) was out of tempo until the choirs got to the second line and realised that they had a conductor. Chorales ain't easy but there's a danger that we all fall into the trap of believing they are.

The chorus came across with conviction in This is Jehovah's Temple' and echoed the quartet in Far Be It From Thy Path' to good effect. No problem with dynamics from 130 voices but was Stone him (Stephen) to death' a tad lacking in hate and venom?

Hats off to David Houlder (organ) who worked like a Trojan throughout a faultless performance.

Whilst an orchestra gets chance to take a breath, the organist must be right on the button (stop or pedal) from start to finish - and he was.

Of the soloists, the ladies had rather less work than the gents. Kathryn Woodruff (mezzo) sang with competence and confidence. Rowena Thornton (soprano) was a joy - voice and looks! - but was she slightly nervous until she realised we were all on her side?

No reason to be when she made such a delightful sound.

Neil Baker (bass) played St Paul with skill and feeling. Good intonation and easy on the ear.

Stephen Muir (tenor) proved his professional credentials with expression, dynamic and excellent tonal quality. Unbelievably, he was called to sub for Oliver White at 9 am - had never sung the part before - didn't know St Paul' and didn't see the score until 3pm.

These two societies are well worthy of your support. Bring your own cushion!

9:05am Thursday 17th April 2008

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