Uplifting favourite's perfect way to begin Diamond Jubilee year 

The East of England Singers and the New Classical Players clearly wanted to start Diamond Jubilee year in fitting style and their concert of warm, uplifting favourites with close royal connections set the tone perfectly and provided a welcome antidote to the chill of a frosty winter evening. 

Angela Kay conducted throughout with infectious energy. 

Handel, not surprisingly, featured large. 

Singers and players responded well to the contrasting moods of two of his Coronation Anthems. 

The King Shall Rejoice opened proceedings in joyfully extrovert style, while My Heart Is Inditing allowed the performers to capture the gentle elegance and intimacy of its first three movements. 

Music For The Royal Fireworks, played with aplomb, recreated the grandeur of celebrations in open spaces and a warmer season. 

The singers excelled in the Choral Dances from Britten's Gloriana, conveying beautifully the range of moods and the close marrying of text and setting.

Walton's film music from Henry V wore its emotions on its sleeve, too, the tenderness of parting contrasting with the rousing strains of victory. In Pachelbel's Canon, the players wove a mesmerising texture from the simple melody. 

Parry's I Was Glad, with its dignity and joyful climax, was the perfect finale.

Nottingham Evening Post