TO celebrate the Golden Age of German Music Cantores Olicanae chose a mixed programme of well known and lesser known works by German born composers spanning three centuries. This was a bold choice and Cantores Olicanae are to be congratulated for tackling some quite difficult works in addition to singing in German.

Zadok the Priest the well known anthem by Handel was the opening item, which has been performed at every coronation since that of George II and Queen Caroline in 1727. It was a good opening piece and set the seal for the audience of a very enjoyable evening. A particular mention must be made of both tenors and basses who sang with unforced dynamic range. The whole ensemble responded to give the evening an excellent start.

Bach's Kom, suber Tod - Come sweet Death - a lesser known piece, sung unaccompanied, began well, but with an occasional problem in pitch, which was quickly corrected. A poignant piece in anticipation of appearing before Christ.

From the Magnificat by Heinrich Schutz the choir performed Meine seele erhebt den Herren (My soul magnifies the Lord). The piece began slowly and gradually built up in tempo. This was a beautiful item, performed well and under their young conductor Rory Johnson, the choir responded with accurate timing and pronunciation of the German text.

Alan Horsey was the organist and is well known to Ilkley audiences. His solo performance of Prelude and Fugue in C by George Bohm was a most lovely piece, revealing his instrumentalism and versatility on the organ at St Margaret's. Equally in Martin Luther's Jesus Christus Unser Heyland the choir sang this with ease and with a clear sense of calm. A most effective piece.

In Jesu, Joy and Treasure by Dietricht Buxtehude, the choir were joined by the Soprano and Bass soloists, Molly Toolan-Kerr and Peter Edge, both young singers with promising futures. The soprano sang well as she gained in confidence and the bass was very clear, with good diction and a very mellifluous voice.

Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring. After some early uncertainty, this well known piece was performed with ease and good diction. It was followed by Christ ist Erstanden by Hans Leo Hassler and is a German Easter Hymn. All voices sang this piece very well, with assurance and clear, expressive German pronunciation.

The final item was Bach's Watchet Auf - Sleepers, Wake. This well known piece had a recit for tenor which Philip O'Connor sang with ease and expression. His light tenor voice being well suited to this piece. The love duet by soprano and bass was performed well and they sang to each other, as the piece demands. All three soloists joined the chorus for the Chorale which is sung in Unison. This was most pleasing to listen to.

The whole evening was appreciated by the small but discerning audience.

by Blanche Woollin