Concert Review - Carols Around The World

The YPC 70th anniversary Christmas concert was a magnificent occasion with a capacity audience in the cathedral, the first time since the pandemic and a welcome sight to see life and concert-going returned to normal.

‘O Come Emmanuel’ was a fitting and dynamic opening to the evening and the theme of ‘Carols around the world’ provided a splendid selection of music from many countries capturing the joy of Christmas through a range of musical styles along with the opportunity for the choir to sing in different languages including Welsh, German and Chinese.

It was a great pleasure to welcome the children’s choir from Pontefract with pupils from several schools within the Pontefract Academies Trust under the direction of James Parkinson and Rachel Dedicoat. They performed four well chosen festive songs, three of which had been composed by James. They really brought the magic of Christmas that only children’s voices can, with their warm tone, smiling faces and heartwarming words through melodies that touched the hearts of everyone.

The Brass Quintet made a welcome return with their vibrant festive accompaniment to the congregational carols and warm mellow tones in Christmas favourites beautifully arranged for brass quintet.

Miles Taylor completed the line up as guest soloist with the choir in several carols including a particularly beautiful performance of Cornelius’ ‘Three Kings’.

The concert closed with a combined performance of Rutter’s ‘Star Carol’, a joyous end to a wonderful evening that had a certain poignancy being the last Christmas concert for the well loved MD Andrew Padmore who will be retiring at the end of the season.

Wishing all our members, patrons, friends and followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.