Autumn in Malvern continued with a recital by Aldwyn Voices conducted by James Vivian.

Vaughan Williams's Five Mystical Songs with baritone Andrew Rupp as soloist, was a superlative performance. His glorious voice was shown to maximum effect, combined with his commanding understanding of the words and music (words by Welsh poet George Herbert).

Easter, with a most expressive organ and magnificent vocal ensemble which sang consummate pianissimos as well as fortes, continued with I got me flowers in which Rupp's first stanza was sung exquisitely, and the last verse stunning, with the choir. Love bade me welcome was endowed with touches of delicacy particularly when Rupp sang in higher registers. Finally Antiphon, the organ vital as it expressed Let all the world in every corner sing, the Voices veering in dynamics of every shade.

A Babe is Born by William Mathias, organ accompanying, was given a fine high soprano entry near the beginning; vibrant ensemble singing crescendoed to its finish. The same composer's Wassail Carol exposed slight uncertainty in the tenors.

Welsh composer Thomas Tomkins, who became organist of Worcester Cathedral, was featured in An Organ Voluntary played worthily by organist Carleton Etherington. Also by Tomkins, the Voices sang When David Heard That Absolom Was Slain. In this, ladies were exemplary, singing long, controlled legato phrases; by comparison the gentlemen's entrance was rather 'muddy'.

Using his effectively modulated voice, Paul Jenkins read several related pieces. To finish, Elgar's Ave verum corpus and Psalm 29 were sung with the organ.

Mr Rupp will be joining Aldwyn Voices again on Sunday, December 5 at 3pm, in Tewkesbury Abbey, with works by Finzi and Vaughan Williams.

JILL HOPKINS.