For the opening concert of its 74th season, The Choir and Orchestra of the Watford Philharmonic Society, conducted by Terry Edwards, presented a seasonal programme beginning with the final two parts from Haydn’s masterpiece, The Seasons: Autumn and Winter.

The work, which was inspired by a popular 18th Century poem, follows through the final months of the year, culminating with a glorious fugue celebrating the certainty of salvation after death.

This was followed by a rousing performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. The work is arranged in three main groups, Springtime, In the Tavern and Courtly Love.

During the last section, members of the choir from the Watford Grammar School for Girls successfully added their clear young voices in the children’s chorus to the maturity of the Watford Philharmonic choir.

The Carmina Burana opens and closes with the O Fortuna, well-known as the theme tune for the Old Spice advert, among others, and soon had the audience tapping their feet to the familiar music, finalising in rapturous applause and calls of “encore”.

Soloists Kiera Lyness, soprano, Henry Moss, tenor, and Peter Snipp, baritone, all added to the exuberance of the evening.

A good start to what promises to be a varied and popular season for the Watford Philharmonic Society. It is good to see our wonderful concert hall being so well used and enjoyed by so many music lovers.

Ann Janes