This Concert featured Jubilo and The Edinburgh Players in a performance of Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 2 in B-Flat Major, "Lobgesang" (Hymn of Praise), a joyous sinfonia cantata for 2 sopranos and tenor soloists, choir and orchestra - "All that has life and breath, sing to the Lord". In the year of 1840, at the age of 31, Mendelssohn was commissioned to compose a work for a grand celebration commemorating the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg. This celebration included Weber's Jubel Overture and Handel's Dettingen Te Deum. Mendelssohn's contribution was Hymn of Praise.

The symphony-cantata is a lovely, grand, and charming work. The first three movements are for orchestra alone, playing as a sinfonia prelude to the choral cantata. Movement one, Maestoso con moto - Allegro, opens with a sober and noble theme by the trombones, very much like a Luther hymn. This theme links the entire work together. From first movement, there is no doubt that Mendelssohn has set the stage for the religious feel of the whole work.

The second movement, Allegretto un poco agitato, is a delightful minuet and trio. Though it's comfortable waltz feel is set somewhat against the brass pronouncing again a sombre hymnal theme, the second movement feels fresh and charming, though hints slightly of what's to come.

The third movement, Adagio religioso, is built upon a lovely but very serious theme of deeply pious reflection. Although the movement proceeds through a restless pulsing in the strings, it closes in gentle exaltation. The whole of it sings as an instrumental prayer.

The finale brings nine vocal sections that explore a number of variations for vocal combinations. The first theme of the first movement begins this finale. And from here on this beautiful cantata exalts the heavens and our hearts.

Jubilo and the Edinburgh Players were ably complemented by Janet de Vigne, soprano, singing with the choir for the first time, and David Danson, baritone.

To complement the cantata, the choir performed 6 Brahms unaccompanied songs from "Weltliche A Cappella Gesänge", Opus 93a, 104, and choir and orchestra again combined in a performance of Dvorák's "Te Deum" with Janet de Vigne and Malcolm Wood, tenor and Susan McNaught from the choir taking the second soprano solo part. The entire concert was much enjoyed by audience, choir and orchestra.