REVIEW: Resound & Rebelles ‘Hove For The Holidays’

After a taster of what these two classy choirs could do at the World Aids Day concert on December 1, my expectations were very high – and I was not to be disappointed.

Musical Director Stefan Holmström has drilled both groups to a peak of perfection that any musical ensemble could be proud of, professional or otherwise.

Resound achieve a richness of tone throughout with solid, pitch perfect basses, mellifluous baritones and soaring tenors reaching the high ground with ease.

The Rebelles have equal talent and deliver both the classical tones required for some of their programme as well as that sweet Hollywood choral sound required for others. Performing some of the programme together they are a force to be reckoned with.

So for musicality they score very highly indeed. Now for the programme. Many choirs, and Brighton has many, seem content to deliver well groomed versions of standards. Some push the boundaries a little, but none seem to be as adventurous yet as these two gems.

This festive programme was challenging, not only for them but for the audience too and we were treated to choral delights that I suspect few of us had heard before. I loved this, being introduced to new work is so much more interesting than a programme of well dressed classics. Full marks to them for this and especially once again to their MD who had liberally peppered the concert with delightful songs from his homeland Sweden.

If I had any misgivings it would be these. At times, for the Rebelles, the acoustic of St Andrew’s Church seemed to swallow the melody line, it could of course have been my position slightly left of the central aisle, but it was noticeable – and I do like too hear the tune. Secondly the choice of Fairytale Of New York as a final number seemed to slowly paced and lacked the raucous punch that for me makes it work. I was delighted that they came back and gave us two excellent encores that raised the roof.

Throughout the evening the choirs were supported by an excellent band of musicians, who had their own excellent moments, sans singers, and the whole was smartly compered by the charming and witty Steve Bustin.

All in all this was an evening of musical delights fit for any stage, professional or amateur, and I look forward to hearing both choirs again very soon.