Sunday’s All Saints’ Singers’ Passiontide concert was a bright and vibrant affair, delivered with spirit and a strong sense of commitment by singers and instrumentalists. Caroline Hobbs-Smith’s clear direction ensured close attention to dynamics, crispness of entries and diction, and the performers’ enthusiasm was infectious.

The first half was a selection of joyous offerings — two of Handel’s Coronation anthems (The King Shall Rejoice and My Heart is Inditing), the bubbling Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and a more than competent rendition of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No.3. It all added up to a very tasty hors d’oeuvre, before the main course — Haydn’s glorious Nelson Mass.

Soprano Eleanor Thompson, a late substitute for an indisposed Helen Purefoy, started a little shakily, but quickly got into her stride, growing in confidence as the evening progressed. Her voice didn’t quite have the power and authority needed for this piece, but she made a lovely sound, and sang with great feeling throughout. Hers was a very enjoyable performance. So too was that of contralto Clemmie Franks, whose mellow tones were a joy.

Male soloists Paul Smy (tenor) and Richard Weston (bass) sang heartily and blended well, but although I enjoyed the richness of their voices I did long for more subtlety in delivery, and a greater sensitivity to the words. At times — particularly noticeable in the Gloria — they sounded as if they were competing with each other. More sensitivity to the other soloists would have been welcome, too, to achieve a more balanced sound.

The choir performed more or less flawlessly; all the singers were noticeably attentive to the conductor and they captured the different moods of the piece very effectively. The orchestra gave supportive and well-balanced accompaniment, and there were some particularly wonderful sounds from the trumpet section. This was an uplifting performance, which inspired me to blow the dust off my CD and give it a long-overdue airing. Magnificent.