MUSIC REVIEW: The Manchester Festive Happening: A Gospel Christmas - Albert Hall, Manchester.

Manchester Camerata along with AMC Gospel Choir hosted their third yearly Christmas event at the Albert Hall. The late Victorian early Edwardian features of the Albert Hall, adorned with Christmas trees and green garlands perfectly set the scene for a festive afternoon.

The AMC Gospel Choir, led by Audrey Mattis performed a variety of familiar Christmas carols alongside some other lesser known Christmas worship hymns. Opening with 'Everybody Knows', by American worship singer and songwriter Israel and New Breed, gave an immediate taste of what was to come – this had a really uplifting beat, with disco strings and brass pops and would have felt right at home in a chic playlist. I must confess at this point, that I am a bit of a Christmas humbug but I thoroughly enjoyed this song – it mentioned everything Christmas cheer requires from angels to friends and family, love and peace – yet it felt refreshingly different from the usual Christmas song, while still giving a glowing feeling.

Not only did I enjoy this song – feeling immediately uplifted – but I also thoroughly enjoyed the whole concert and even joined in with the communal singing of 'Silent Night'! The Manchester Camerata Orchestra were put to good use throughout the night playing disco, jazz and soul style arrangements one moment, then baroque the next. This was evident in the second piece of the concert, 'Rejoice', by Richard Smallwood. This is an obvious arrangement of Handel’s 'Rejoice' from his Messiah Oratorio. The Camerata opened the song adding an intro similar to Handel’s own, but the song quickly morphed in to a big gospel number. Alto Kristine Woodbine-Palmer provided fantastic solos for the two opening songs. Handel uses melisma, call and response, some wider intervals all along with descants and counter melodies which are wonderfully suited to a gospel music version of his music. Even the original lyrics – with their repeated anthem of 'Rejoice'! – were perfectly gospel. This was a moving yet majestic number. The AMC Choir would sing a few more handel themed songs throughout the event – 'Behold The Lamb Of God' (arranged by Yellowjackets), 'Every Valley Shall Be Exalted' (Warren and Kimble) and a final 'Hallelujah Chorus'.

'O, Holy Night' was sung by Joy Ritchie – while this is a very familiar song, it was transformed sensitively into a soul song. It built and built gradually almost teasingly into a high impact end – the close harmonies of the AMC Choir were astounding here. It is hard to take such a well-loved and known piece and change it without losing the impact, this was cleverly arranged and beautifully sung, ending with an acapella final chorus.

A piece that stood out for me was 'Take Me To The King' (Tamela Mann) which was a solo piece that simply blew the roof off. The soloist was not named unfortunately, whoever she was deserves a recognition. This had a strong narrative element to it which the unknown performer really sold this story to us. With a strong RnB ballad feel, this was another piece that gradually built up over time with constant variation and more than one key change until the soloist erupted into a powerful descant as the choir sang the chorus over and over until the end. This had a huge impact on the audience and provoked an immediate standing ovation and mighty cheers.

Other Christmas hymns were sung – 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing', 'Silent Night' – with the whole audience singing, refreshingly this was in a key that all could take part in! – and a Christmas worship medley.

The second half saw a piece that was written in the community by outreach group Camerata in the Community Connections Group. One of the people, Eric, who took part read out a poem about music and its importance and impact. This was followed by himself and others singing a Christmas song that they had written. This was a really special moment and really outlined the importance of togetherness and finding out each other. This really struck home as the Connections group works with school children but also with older people, people with dementia and people with additional needs.

At the end of the event, an encore was provided – 'Joyful Joyful' – in which a soloist named Sophie led. This was a more familiar gospel tune and was a happy and uplifting finale.

The audience were really enthralled by this concert and all left with huge grins. This is a wonderful Christmas experience – even for humbugs like myself. Afterwards, I was even tempted to try a mulled wine in the Christmas markets nearby!

The Manchester Festive Happening could, and should, become a Christmas tradition. It was almost fully sold out this time, building in numbers each year. Get your tickets early next year!