On this day in 1985, Southampton Guildhall was filled with the intricate architecture of sound that defines Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B, marking the culmination of the Southampton Choral Society’s 1984–85 season. And, according to Eric Wood’s account in the Southern Evening Echo, it ended in style.

Wood captured the spirit of the evening with a single word: “buoyant.” That sense of lift and vitality came from singing that was both disciplined and expressive - “clean articulation” underpinning the work’s formidable complexity. Under the baton of Bournemouth Sinfonietta’s John Barker, the choir navigated one of the most demanding choral works in the repertoire with assurance.

Bach’s Mass is no small undertaking. Its 27 sections (15 of them choruses) require precision, stamina, and interpretive clarity. Yet the performance rose to the challenge. The Credo emerged with a sense of majesty, while the Resurrexit carried unmistakable joy. Even a fleeting “loss of pitch” in the Confiteor’s Adagio, noted in the review, did little to detract from the overall impact. The impression left was one of cohesion and musical intelligence rather than flaw.

The collaboration extended beyond the choir. The Bournemouth Sinfonietta provided orchestral support described as “alert and reliable,” with particularly strong contributions from the woodwind section. At the organ, Master of the Music of
Southampton Parish Church, Jeremy Blandford ensured continuity and depth of texture throughout.

A distinguished quartet of soloists added further polish: soprano Lynne Dawson (who later came to national prominence as soloist at Princess Diana's funeral), tenor Neil Mackie (later head of the Department of Vocal Studies at the Royal College of Music), alongside alto Ann Collins and bass Peter Mardle. Their contributions helped shape the Mass into a fully realised dramatic and spiritual experience.

Looking back, this concert stands as a reminder of what our society can achieve when ambition meets preparation. Ending a season with Bach’s Mass in B Minor is a statement in itself. Delivering it with passion, clarity, and conviction - that is something worth celebrating.

As we look ahead, that same sense of musical “floatability” is set to carry forward into Sea Pictures - our next concert on 4 July. With a nautical-themed programme promising rolling melodies and oceanic atmosphere, audiences can expect an evening designed to lift spirits and stay afloat in the imagination long after the final note. If May 1985 showed how Bach’s music can rise and resonate, July’s concert looks ready to make waves of its own - so it’s well worth securing your place.

Where: St James Road Methodist, St James Rd, Shirley, Southampton SO15 5HE
When: 3pm, Saturday, 4 July 2026
Ticket price (including booking fee): £16.17 
Tickets (Ticketsource): https://www.ticketsource.com/southamptonchoralsociety/t-gllqxgy

Image: Review - Buoyant Singing, Southern Evening Echo, 15 May 1981.
 

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