Laura Norris was in the audience as Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies joined together for 'Carmina Burana' on Saturday 15 November 2025.
Ilkley Choral Society gave a performance on Saturday night that was nothing short of completely stunning, and St. Margaret’s Church in Ilkley held a full audience to witness it.
Now I must make it clear that I am certainly not a reviewer in the professional sense, but I know a first-class concert when I go to one – and this was it.
Joined by Otley Choral Society, over one hundred voices celebrated the freshness of a coming Spring with an uplifting sense of renewal, with Haydn’s ‘Spring’, from ‘The Seasons’. This piece took us tripping through the woods and fields of Arcady, with a fresh and delightful performance expressing the joy and brightness of new beginnings.
The second half of this remarkable concert did exactly what the Chair of Ilkley Choral Society, Sally Sumpner, promised in her opening remarks – that Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ would be powerful enough to blow your hats off – and it was.
From the very first thunderous beat, it was clear the audience was in for a treat. What followed was an electrifying blend of musical precision, drama and sheer power, capturing the raw spirit of Carmina Burana.
Two exceptional pianists, Robin Cook and Robert Sudall, clearly demonstrated their technical brilliance, adding clarity and dynamic sparkle in passages that demanded absolute precision.
Equally impressive were the three outstanding young soloists: tenor Timothy Peters offered a highly polished performance, showing a wide range and skill in his confident and expressive interpretation. Sam Gilliatt, baritone, beautifully matched the drama of Orff’s score, bringing to it colour, expression and remarkable character. Soprano Georgie Malcolm gave a truly brilliant performance, thrilling the audience with the depth, clarity and power of her voice, and seemingly effortlessly piercing the rafters of the church with high notes that stunned the audience and choir alike.
At the heart of this work was the large and impressive percussion section, performed by G.I. Percussion, and featuring over twenty different instruments. Flawless coordination and precision gave a sense of urgency and excitement. They demonstrated both the ferocity and the finesse required in this work, captivating the audience with a brilliantly executed performance.
Overseeing the entire concert was Musical Director Alex Kyle, whose masterful and inspiring leadership ensured that his choirs demonstrated skill, energy and passion to produce this wonderfully bold and exhilarating evening of music.
The audience responded with great enthusiasm and sustained applause, clearly appreciative of this musical drama they had witnessed, and hugely moved by this wonderful concert.
A brilliant night – many congratulations to everyone who took part.
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