Northern Chamber Orchestra’s traditional festive concert for 2021 was titled Romance at Christmas. The evening was led from the violin by Nicholas Ward, with The Choir of St. Nicholas Catholic High School conducted by Helen McKenna, and with narration by Kate Millward. Due to popular demand, both a matinee and an evening concert took place this year, in the grand Tenant’s Hall at Tatton Park, Cheshire.
It was a rare treat for us to have the chance to experience Northern Chamber Orchestra and The Choir of St. Nicholas High School in the more intimate setting of the Tenant’s Hall. We were looking forward to a programme which had something for everyone – classical pieces, festive songs, readings, carols and themes from staple family Christmas movies. As soon as the musicians and Kate Millward took to the stage, it was clear that we were not going to be disappointed. The Orchestra was expertly led by Nicholas Ward and, although unfamiliar to us, Overture Hansel and Gretel relaxed us into the atmosphere of the evening immediately.
After a second piece from the Orchestra, they were joined on stage by the immaculately presented Choir of St. Nicholas Catholic High School and conductor Helen McKenna. Their wonderfully harmonised rendition of ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’ filled the room with joy. Two sensitive, quieter pieces, including ‘Do you hear what I hear’ by Noel Regney and Gloria Swayne, followed, demonstrating some of the range of the Choir and leading into Kate Millward’s first reading.
John Williams’ film themes have become as popular as the movies themselves, so we were then on familiar territory with the ‘Theme from Harry Potter (Hedwig’s Flight)’ which, in my opinion, was the evening’s best showcase of the talents of Northern Chamber Orchestra. The music swooped and soared, mimicking its owl namesake, with each section of the Orchestra coming to the fore along the way. Williams’ themes – the Theme from E.T. and ‘Anakin’s Theme’ from ‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace’ were played later in the evening – have a festive feel and fit well into the ‘Romance at Christmas’ theme.
The programme was completed by two further songs from the Choir and Kate Millward’s reading of a whimsical poem about the ‘Wise men from the North’. A well-balanced evening’s entertainment ended with an exuberant ‘Sleigh Ride’ finale and encore of ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’ from the wonderful Orchestra and Choir combined and left us feeling full of the spirit of Christmas.
When is the Northern Chamber Orchestra’s next performance and how can I purchase tickets?
The NCO have a range of performances across Macclesfield, Manchester and Chester during Spring 2022. Their next concert is at 5.30pm on Saturday, 15 January 2022 at The Heritage Centre, Macclesfield. Tickets are £23.00 gallery; £18.00 stalls, with full-time students and under-18s able to attend for free. For further information and to book tickets for this concert and future events, please go to www.ncorch.co.uk/concerts/
About Northern Chamber Orchestra
Formed in the Kate 1960s and based in Manchester, the Northern Chamber Orchestra is now one of the country’s top professional Chamber orchestras, with its concerts and recordings warmly received by critics. In a ground-breaking move in 1968, under their young leader Nicholas Ward, the NCO became one of the first orchestras in the country to work regularly without a conductor.
About The Choir of St. Nicholas Catholic High School
The School and Sixth Form is situated in Hartford, Northwich and enjoys a fantastic reputation in the local area. The Choir are one of four vocal groups in the school, but is the only auditioned group who represent the school in local and national competitions and performances. Romance at Christmas on 10Â December marked the start of the Christmas concert season for the choir.
About Kate Millward
Kate Millward has a wealth of experience in story-telling, performing in theatres, stately homes and at after-dinner events. As well as presenting a broad spectrum of well-known poetry and prose, including Dickens, Shakespeare and Duffy, Kate also creates and performs her own material. A freelance actor, writer and director, Kate also teaches drama at the University of Salford.
Review by: Sharon Corbally
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* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
8 comments
I absolutely love orchestral music and seeing it live is such a treat! This must have been a magical evening x
It certainly has put me into a more Chrismassy mood
I’ve never been to see anything like this before. It must have been great. At the moment I listen to my daughters, thankfully they are now on high grades so the music is really nice to listen to. This might make a nice family outing.
It would indeed, hope you are able to watch them live
I haven’t been to watch an orchestra in years but when I was a little girl, my grandmother often took me to see them.
How amazing, thank you for sharing your memories with us
This sounds like it would be an incredible experience to hear live! I haven’t seen an orchestra in years I have to admit but there is something wonderful about the sound of one.
Yes the sound of the orchestra as well as the choir was just beautiful