The Oxford Bach Choir chose a programme of popular baroque works for its summer concert. Despite competition from the World Cup there was a good turnout on Saturday. Certainly this was a far more entertaining performance than England managed in its opening games.

Handel’s anthem, Zadok the Priest, composed for the coronation of George II, provided a rousing curtain opener, while Dixit Dominus, the composer’s early masterpiece, made up the second half. Bach’s third orchestral suite, which includes the famous Air on a G string, completed the programme.

The stars of the evening were undoubtedly the choir, who sang with conviction and energy. Handel’s exuberant contrapuntal writing in Dixit Dominus and the dramatic effects he achieves came through strongly. The final chorus in particular was excellent. Conductor Tim Byram-Wigfield, Director of Music at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, had obviously put in solid work during rehearsals.

The soloists all gave sound performances. Sopranos Grace Davidson and Amy Haworth were particularly effective in the penultimate number of Dixit Dominus, a glorious illlustration of Handel’s gift for melody.

Oxford-based early music ensemble Charivari Agreable provided accompaniment in the choral works as well as performing the Bach suite. The group has had glowing reviews in the past and has released a number of award-winning recordings. I have seen them a number of times and have not been convinced by them. Saturday’s performance was the best I have heard, but the playing still didn’t quite live up to the standard I would expect from a group which has secured such accolades.

The ensemble’s director Kah-Ming Ng was excellent on harpsichord and organ, and there was some fine playing by the lead violin and the trumpets, but overall the music didn’t quite engage me. It was elegant rather than energising, and one had little sense that the musicians were enjoying what they were playing. The choir more than made up for this, though.