What the Critics Say

Compositions


 

A Great and Glorious Victory – nominated for the British Composer Awards (British Academy of Composers and Songwriters)

Willcocks has struck gold – effective and accessible”
Timothy Storey – Cathedral Music
This breathtaking work had people sitting on the edge of their seats”
Ann Seller – Slough Express


Christmas Pudding

an absolute winner, everyone will want to perform it”
Gwyn Arch, choral director
as a singer jaundiced by all those carols at Christmas, it was fantastic to sing twenty five of them within four minutes!”
Deidre Strange, choir member


Christ is Born

vivacious rhythms and lovely melodies – I cannot recommend this too highly”
Church Music Quarterly


From darkness to light

set brilliantly and captivatingly, the orchestration is colourful and use of chorus unfailingly skilful”
Wayne Lee Gay – Star-Telegram, Texas


Great is the Glory

In one word, brilliant – this work will be much sought-after by choral groups”
Hickory Daily Record, USA


Lux perpetua

The most impressive new work for chorus and orchestra I have heard in a very long time”
D S Crafts, Albuquerque Journal, USA
profound emotional impact – an effective and stirring piece”
BBC Music Magazine


Magnificat

melodious, rhythmical, colourful – expert in the understanding of voices”
Gramophone magazine
full of splendour and excitement”
ABCD magazine


Sing Praises

a real gem of a piece”
Choir and Organ
a magnificent suite of Psalm settings – deserves a place alongside those by Stravinsky and Bernstein”
AAM magazine


Three Sea Shanties

lively, witty – straight from the public bar!”
Mike Allen – Portsmouth News


Worcester Mass

rich, full, demanding and rewarding – the Dona Nobis can only be described as ravishingly beautiful”
Richard Coffey, ACDA Magazine


Conducting

Elgar – Dream of Gerontius

in total command throughout and secured from the chorus some lovely singing”
Chichester Observer


Beethoven Symphony no. 7

In all my years of concert-going and reviewing, I have never witnessed an ovation such as that given to Jonathan Willcocks and the Southern Pro Musica”
Ann Pinhey – The Herald


Orchestral concert

“ great control and vigour – what more could you want of an evening of music?
Guildford Dragon


Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra

a sublime insightful performance”
Kyle MacMillan, Omaha World Herald