Portsmouth Choral Union: Music for Eastertime, 7 March 2026
It seemed that Portsmouth Choral Union was playing at home when they included two Portsmouth – related pieces in their Easter Time Concert at St. Mary’s, Portsea. The works were also connected to St. Mary, being Cecilia McDowall’s Ave Maris Stella and Ian Schofield’s Stabat Mater.
Ave Maris Stella was commissioned by Portsmouth Grammar School. It was beautifully performed under the direction of David Gostick, with Eve McGrath as soprano soloist and the strings of The Southern Pro Musica. The 100-strong choir sang with sensitivity and control, with a good balance between voices and strings. The sopranos were particularly effective, soaring up to the rafters in the final burst of praise.
Stabat Mater was written by PCU member, Ian Schofield in 2014. It consists of nine movements, reflecting the emotional words which tell of the grieving Mother of Jesus at the foot of the cross and our response to her loss. The soprano soloist was very effective in this last regard and the men of the choir sang with energy in the flagellation of Christ section. Tremolos on the strings was used to engender feelings of sadness and the string writing was sensitive and effective.
The fifth movement was a hymn-like section which ended with an outburst of sound and feeling. The altos sang with lovely, rounded sound in the following movement, whilst the soloist sang section seven with due gravitas. The quiet final section was particularly moving and led to a refreshingly quiet Amen.
The concert began with Mozart’s Regina Coeli which was sung with due joyfulness by choir and soloist alike.
Also included was a vibrant account of C.P.E. Bach’s Symphony in B minor performed by the energetic string players of The Southern Pro Musica.
Portsmouth Choral Union have a reputation for innovative programming which they continued to demonstrate in this enterprising concert.
Geoff Porter
