The performance of Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem which opened this concert was particularly appropriate this year which marks the centenary of the First World War.

Written in 1936, it was inspired by the composer’s experience in that war with texts including Walt Whitman’s lines written after his experience in the American Civil War.

It also marked another centenary as the performance was dedicated to Vic Furneaux, a choir member for 28 years, who died in January, having sung for the last time, at the age of 100, in 2012.

There was personal connection for conductor Peter Collis, whose first composition teacher had been a pupil of Vaughan Williams.

For this occasion Mr Collis had coopted a section from the Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, which provided a small string section.

Perhaps because it is less familiar and also due to Vaughan Williams’ distinct harmonies, I suspect it was a considerable challenge for the choir, with one member overheard telling friends in the audience beforehand that although it might sound discordant in places, it was meant to do so.

With two fine young soloists, soprano Eleanor Gartside and baritone Graham McCusker, it seemed to me that Peter Collis coaxed a suitably telling performance of this plea for peace.

In the second half we heard the more familiar Requiem by Fauré which contained so many beautiful moments.

Soloists and orchestra performed well and the choir produced lovely singing throughout, including the Sanctus, the Agnus Dei with voices soft at first and building up in volume and some superb control in the many-layered In Paradisum.

Peter Bevan