June 2024 – Summer Concert
This was the Stevenage Accordion Group
CONCERT REVIEW
A sizeable audience gathered for the Knebworth Chorus’s summer concert on June 22nd in the Village Hall. This year’s theme was “Blue Sky”. As usual, they were joined by an instrumental group – this year it was the amazing Stevenage Accordion Group paying their first visit to Knebworth.
The choir were on good form from the first piece, a 12th century very bouncy “Summer is a-coming in”. Among the more classical style pieces were accomplished performances of Ola Gjeilo’s serene “Across the vast eternal sky” and Bob Chilcott’s strongly rhythmical “The same sun shine”. “Beautiful Dreamer”, “What a wonderful world” and choruses by Rodgers/Hart/Hammerstein contributed to the sunny flavour of the Blue Sky. The audience joined in with great vigour for “We’re all going on a summer holiday”.
From the first moment – the loud strong chords of Concerto d’Amore – the accordionists enthralled and excited the audience. Their very varied programme of light music showed the scope of an instrument that not many had heard before – and certainly not as a group of six.
If you might be thinking that choral concerts are not for you, think again. During the evening (which included a free drink at half time), we heard rich and romantic tunes, new and old; including a delightful performance of “Lucy in the sky with diamonds” (The Beatles). In addition to directing the choir, Derek Harrison entertained us with informative and humorous introductions to the music.