FROM the opening bars of Beethoven?s Violin concerto, it was apparent that the 2006 Two Moors Festival had got off to a resounding start. The concert was in Tavistock Parish Church, and Nicholas Cleobury was conducting the Orchestra of the Swan. The church was immediately filled with gorgeous music, to be joined shortly by the exquisite sound of Tamsin Waley-Cohen?s violin. This was an electrifying performance, with soaring melodies, then a more wistful, intimate slow movement, followed by all the bravura of the finale. After the interval the orchestra was joined by the Two Moors Festival Chorus for Beethoven?s Mass in C. This was given a marvellous warmth and blend of sound. The orchestra was always there, allowing the choir and soloists Gillian Keith, Jean Rigby, Benjamin Hulett and Stephan Loges to shine. The Credo moved from the menace of ?Sub Pontio Pilato? to the exhilaration of the Resurrection. Nicholas Cleobury held everything together with great aplomb, through the mighty sound of the Gloria through to the gentle Benedictus and the haunting Agnus Dei. This was a superb, exhilarating concert, and bodes well for the success of the festival as a whole.
