THE pieces to be performed in The Anvil on the night of Sunday, May 20 at 7pm include Beethoven’s Choral Symphony and Haydn’s Nelson Mass.

The latter is an outstanding work, the official name of which is Missa in Angustiis, or Mass for Troubled Times. It was written in 1798 when Napoleon had experienced great success, winning four major battles with Austria in swift succession.

The piece is a lot of fun to sing, and is an easy listen for anyone who isn’t usually interested in classical music.

The second half will be dominated by Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, also known as Symphony No 9.

One of the best known pieces in the classical repertoire – and thought by some to be the greatest piece of music ever written – it was his final complete symphony, written in 1824. The words used for it come from Friedrich Schiller’s famous Ode to Joy, and make for an incredibly inspiring listen.

London Mozart Players, founded by Harry Blech in 1949 as the UK’s first chamber orchestra, is regarded as one of the UK’s finest ensembles.

Under the leadership of musical director Gérard Korsten, the orchestra is internationally renowned for its outstanding live performances and CD recordings.

It is, of course, an Orchestra in Association of The Anvil here in Basingstoke.

BCS has come a long way since it began, but its aims vary little from those initiated when the society first came into being.

The choir remains strong, with around 140 committed members, a hard-working chairman and committee, and accompanist and assistant musical director, Mark Kinkaid, who has been with BCS for more than 25 years. Musical director David Gibson has been with the society for more than 28 years, and inspires every member.


Tickets are available from the box office on 01256 844244 or online at anvilarts.org.uk.