Last week saw the Oxford Philomusica’s Christmas Concert at the Sheldonian Theatre. On a cold December night, the concert proved to be banquet of festive favourites for all ages.

Conducted by multi-award-winning composer and conductor Howard Goodall, the concert featured Yule-time gems, including an excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and psalms such as The Lord is My Shepherd. As well as these recognisable and much-loved pieces, the concert featured performances of several of Goodall’s own creations, including The Seasons, Autumn and Winter. Written on commission for a television series, both pieces were fronted by solo cellist Bozidar Vukotic. This performance of The Seasons marked its premiere in front of an audience. Needless to say the pieces were greeted with enthusiasm.

The vocal accompaniment for the evening came in the form of Enchanted Voices, an all-female group of eight whose hauntingly beautiful voices carried with perfect clarity and choral precision the carols and psalms alike.

The Oxford Philomusica displayed, as always, an impressive range of musical talent. The slightly less formal aspects of the concert, in particular the appearance of Leroy Anderson’s jovial Sleigh Ride gave the orchestra the opportunity to indulge in the sheer enjoyment of the performance — an enjoyment that spread throughout the audience. Goodall developed a considerable rapport with the audience, showing another side of himself as entertainer and compère. His amusing introductions to the pieces made them readily accessible to younger concert-goers.

After forgoing a couple of the expected pieces for the evening in favour of a promised treat, the concert ended on a high note with an arrangement of We Wish You a Merry Christmas. This rounded off a concert that set the perfect mood for the festive season.