The sizeable audience confirmed that this "Evening of Elgar" was an ideal programme for Malvern's Elgar- orientated residents.

The composer's stirring arrangement of the National Anthem was a fine start to the evening. Vanessa Williamson took the solo part. She had stepped in as mezzo soprano soloist at the 11th hour, helping Iain Sloan (conductor) and the chorus out of an unenviable dilemma.

The orchestra, ably led by Tony Urba-inczyk, played Pomp & Circumstance March in G major No 4. It was given a crisply rhythmic introduction and a warmly tuneful central section, the horns and strings singing majestically.

Vanessa Williamson sang Sea Pictures, a most beautiful cycle of five songs. Dressed appropriately in sequined turquoise, her singing showed clear understanding of the words and her range met the demands of the music, the lowest register used particularly well in Sea Slumber Song and Where Corals Lie. More volume, especially from the middle register of her voice, was needed and by the time she reached The Swimmer, she seemed to be running out of steam.

The chorus sang Give unto the Lord Psalm 29 and The Music Makers. In both there was a severe lack of projection, to the extent that the choir was lost almost completely at times, although it appeared to be singing lustily.

The tranquil In His temple doth ev'ryone speak of His glory from the psalm, and the animated And o'er them with prophesying where the Chorus sang more vigorously than in The Music Makers, was the best choral singing.

A rousing Pomp & Circumstance March in D major No1, which allowed the audience to join in singing Land of Hope and Glory, concluded this Elgar tribute.

Jill Hopkins