Plymouth University's Choral Society and Sinfonia and Plymouth Philharmonic Choir play back to back

IF YOU'RE a lover of large-scale choral works, then you might well think all your birthdays have come at once next weekend.

On Saturday, March 16, it's the turn of the University of Plymouth Choral Society and Sinfonia, who perform Mozart's Requiem in St Andrew's Minster Church at 7.30pm.

Conductor Simon Ible said: "This remarkable work, with its passionate choruses and dramatic orchestration, demands four outstanding soloists.

"South Korean-born Hye-Youn Lee is being heralded in London as the voice to watch in 2013, while mezzo-soprano Clare Presland makes a welcome return visit to the city following her appearance as Carmen for New Devon Opera in 2010.

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"Tenor Tyler Clarke and Tasmanian-born baritone Simon Thorpe will complete a most impressive team."

The next night, in the Guildhall at 7.30pm, Plymouth Philharmonic Choir presents an all-French programme, again which features a Requiem, this time by Faure.

Conductor Christopher Fletcher said: "When Mozart wrote his Requiem, it reflected his fear of death – before slipping into a moment of sublime peace and tranquillity.

"However Faure called his a 'lullaby', seeing death more as a happy deliverance."

Partnering the Requiem will be Gounod's St Cecilia Mass, about which Christopher added: "It has felt fresh and new during rehearsals, and is particularly tuneful and melodic.

"After all, St Cecilia is the patroness of musicians and church music."

Unlike their university colleagues, the Philharmonic has decided to keep with local soloists – Catherine Hamilton, one of the region's most popular sopranos, Gordon Pike (tenor), with close links to the musical life of Exeter Cathedral, and John Hobbs (baritone), well-known both as a singer and conductor.

YOU'RE probably as likely to see local performer Jade Gall with her saxophone, as with the other love in her life – Ripley, her treasured motorbike.

But there's a great opportunity to hear her play – minus the leathers – at an informal recital in The Gallery Bar of Calstock's Old Chapel, on Friday, March 15, starting at 8.30pm.

Jade, who is currently completing a Masters in Music Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, will include some classical pieces by Debussy and Milhaud, alongside some great jazz and modern numbers – even managing to slot in one from my own pen.

Jonathan Watts, perhaps better-known from his Devon Baroque and Dartington connections provides the piano accompaniment.

SUE Davies (piano) is joined by Jeffrey Boorer (clarinet), Claire Fielding (soprano), Christine Liddicoat (contralto), and Kathryn Bunkum (soprano) for a concert at St Nicholas and St Faith Parish Church, Saltash, on Saturday, March 16 at 7.30pm, in aid of the church room heating fund.