MICHAEL DRAKE St Andrew's Hall, Norwich

MICHAEL DRAKE

> St Andrew's Hall, Norwich

Whilst not thinking of deserting my native county, Swansea – the home of Saturday's visitors – would be attractive if it meant hearing more of them.

Giving a taste of their versatile blend of the classical and popular, the disciplined ranks started in typical style with Men of Harlech as a virtual vocal fanfare.

Then came full-throated power in the American-written Gwahoddiad (invitation) and the emotive and so Welsh Myfanwy – though in the latter they could not avoid the male voice choir trait of sounding just under pitch in quiet passages.

But the programme still made A Grand Night for Singing (the arrangement by their long term conductor Alyn Humphrys) directed as much with hips as hands by Sian Pearce, excellently accompanied by pianist Joy Davies and Michael Phillips (organ).

Karl Jenkin's Adiemous surged, Verdi would have liked the Anvil Chorus and in between delightful Sorphane Rebecca von Lipinski sang with vocal artistry a selection ranging from Summertime to the Jewel song.

Diction was always a feature of the choir, whether in the sensitive Let It Be Me or the spontaneous and precise rhythm of Senzinena from South Africa.

The 'Welsh sound' returned and in a fitting tribute to organisers Cathy and Richard Spurgin, Jerome Kern's All The Things You Are was dedicated to the memory of their daughter.

It was an emotive evening in many senses.