Performances of classical music do not always receive reviews in the press in modern times, so the excerpts of reviews below do not represent all the Symphony Choir’s performances.

CONCERT: Poulenc – Gloria & Concerto for 2 Pianos + other French music

          "... a super afternoon yesterday – we really enjoyed the Poulenc concert; the choir was on top form and Francois du Toit and Franklin Larey did a wonderful job on the two pianos - - and Magdaleen Minaar – what can we say – what a superb voice! Thank you once again for all the joy you and the choir bring us."

CONCERT: Rossini – Stabat Mater

"Just to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's performance. We were particularly moved by the two beautiful unaccompanied choruses. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in to bring such performances to us. You must have gathered from the enthusiastic applause that the concert was appreciated and enjoyed by all."

CONCERT: Handel - Messiah

"Messiah once again was a great experience."

"We thoroughly enjoyed Messiah and thought both Nicholas and Aubrey were particularly good."

CONCERT: Vivaldi: Gloria & Fauré - Requiem

"Just coming down to earth after an absolutely breathtaking concert last night. Thanks somuch for the glorious performance. "

“Thank you so much for the concert. The sound was excellent and the choir very precise – obviously the result of careful rehearsal. It was a most enjoyable evening.”

CONCERT: Carl Orff - Carmina Burana

".... Want you to know how much we enjoyed the Carmina Burana. This was very special with the most beautiful and talented dancers to add to the enjoyment. To celebrate 30 years of the Choir is truly great. Thank you for the wonderful times we have in the music halls all over under your leadership and the passion you have. We know this is very hard work. All the more appreciated. May we experience beautiful music for a long time to come."

"Thank you for a super concert yesterday. Sound, ensemble and concentration were all good - excellent in fact - well done! It was a great occasion and I loved it."

"Carmina Burana was an AMAZING concert!!! Thanks so much and well done to the Choir."

CONCERT: G Verdi's Requiem

• Yesterday in the aucience I had goosebumps all over.  The music did much more than blow my hair away.  Thanks to you and all the musicians for a performance with soul.
• Thank you for a most memorable concert - what a great performance!  The Dies Irae was ELECTRIFYING.  The huge choir singing softly was pure magic. 
• The tribute to Mandela's birthday and introducing Khumalo was a nice touch, making it all very memorable

Michael Traub/Citizen

. . . the Requiem is a severe test for both singers and orchestra, and it needs a masterful hand to control the proceedings. The masterful hand was certainly on display in the shape of the conductor Richard Cock, who directed the music with musicianship and rhythmic tension . . .

LANGDURIGE APPLOUS WELVERDIENDE LOF VIR COCK EN SY SOLISTEMessa da Requiem
(Verdi)
Thys Odendaal/Beeld

. . In al die jare wat Cock as koorafrigter en -dirigent in tientalle konserte as ’n besonderse en inspirerende musikus beïndruk het, het dié resensent hom nog nooit só geanimeerd op die verhoog gesien nie. . .
In die geheel was diéRequiem ’n hoogs verdienstelike prestasie, die langdurige applous welverdiende beloning vir die toewyding wat daarmee saamgaan.

"Commemorative Performance "
MICHAEL TRAUB

CONCERT: Handel’s Greatest Hits

. . . I believe that many of the choral items sung were new to the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg, if so, the singers and Cock must be congratulated on performances of the utmost conviction and vocal security. The choral blend and the intonation were impeccable throughout.

"Good form"
MICHAEL TRAUB
CONCERT : Handel’s Messiah

The almost annual performance of Handel’s best and most famous oratorio, Messiah, graced Joburg’s Easter weekend.

The Symphony choir was in good form (precisely focused top notes from the sopranos, for instance), and the Festival Orchestra played with enthusiasm and well graded tone-levels.
Richard Cock knows Messiah like the back of his hand, and his control was exemplary. . . .

The Hallelujah chorus was a triumph. It was quite a sight to see the entire audience rise, in accordance with tradition (begun by King George II), and remain standing till the final cadence.
The audience rose again at the end of the oratorio to give a heartfelt standing ovation for an uplifting musical and spiritual experience.

Cock, soliste en koor puik in 'Nelson-mis'
Thys Odendaal

Jhb Simfonie-koor 25

. . . . it is aan Richard Cock en die Johannesburg Simfonie-koor te danke dat hul 25ste verjaardagvierings ook 'n Haydn-koorwerk insluit, sy dramaties-opwindende Nelson-mis, beskrywend getitel Missa in angustiis.
Soos altyd was Cock volkome tuis voor die musikale kragte - 'n "klassieke" orkes, die groot simfonie-koor en vier knap soliste. . . .
Hoewel die mansstemme in resonansie nie die vroue ewenaar nie, was die koor puik en trefseker.

Stout effort at huge, difficult, Good Friday performance
J.S. BACH ORATORIO: St Matthew Passion
By MICHAEL TRAUB

A performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion is a huge and challenging undertaking, for it lasts longer than many operas and makes tremendous demands on the singers and instrumentalists, both technically and interpretively. . . .

The combined choirs were the glory of the evening, with especially moving singing in the beautiful chorales which dot the Passion at significant points.

'Groot asem' nog soek in dié 'Passie'
Paul Boekkooi
Matteus-Passie

. . .Oor dié tydperk was Richard Cock hul vaste dirigent en inspirasie. Die feit dat Johannesburg dié omvangryk-geesverheffende, beskouende en epiesliriese werk kon hoor, is te danke aan Cock en sy bestuur se deurlopende ondernemingsgees. . . .

Sou dié Passie slegs 'n koorwerk wees, dan kon Cock se positiewe hoedanighede byna alles oorheers het, want die openingskoor het voorwaar 'n tragiese intensiteit oorgedra, die slotkore van die eerste en tweede helftes het teerheid en verdriet gesuggereer, terwyl die massatonele dramatiese krag en die sogenaamde turbae-kore 'n geladenheid uitgestraal het.

Daar was ook gepaste stemmingswisselinge in die korale. Met meestal hoogstaande koorprestasies, was dit tog veral in die tweede deel opvallend dat invalle soms weifelend was. . .  

More please!
By MICHAEL TRAUB
Music by Haydn & Mozart

A varied and well-chosen programme of music by the classic masters Haydn and Mozart led to a good attendance and, more importantly, superior music-making. The

The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg featured in Mozart's short motet, Ave Verum, and Haydn's Nelson Mass. . . .The choir itself was in good form, revelling in the many beauties of Haydn's ever-interesting score.
Richard Cock displayed his customary expertise in holding together the large band of performers.
More, please!

Inspired oratorio a triumph
ORATORIO: Mendelssohn’s Elijah 
By MICHAEL TRAUB

This inspired performance of Mendelssohn’s inspirational music to accompany dramatic events in the life of the prophet Elijah was a major triumph for all concerned.

First to be singled out must be the conductor, Richard Cock, who tackled this vast canvas with assurance and insight. He held the choir together as if with steel cables, and there was scarcely a moment when the ensemble slipped. The orchestra, though sometimes as to the brass instruments, was also cohesive and obedient. . .

What a pity that South Africa does not have the resources for a performance like this to be heard live in other major cities. Nonetheless, a recording was being made for radio listeners, who in due course will be able to get a chance to hear this magnificent oratorio.

'Elijah' lofwaardig
Paul Boekkooi
Elijah (Mendelssohn)

. . .Cock het op dinamiese vlak heelwat bereik om beide die drama en rykdom van die teks aan sy koor oor te dra, met 'n paar mezza voces wat doeltreffend uitgestaan het. Die orkes het baie tot die atmosfeer bygedra. 
Almal se inisiatief en oorgawe verdien lof.

Laudable performance of difficult Mass
CONCERT:Beethoven's Missa Solemnis
By MICHAEL TRAUB

Beethoven's Mass in D major, usually referred to as the Missa Solemnis, is an immense undertaking for all the musicians concerned. . . .

Despite the occasional sense of tentativeness about the vocal attack, the performance must be accounted a success, and Richard Cock, who galvanised his forces with his personal zeal, has added yet another feather to his musical cap.

Spiritual music on Good Friday
ORATORIO: St John Passion
By MICHAEL TRAUB

A packed house greeted this year's Easter oratorio, given, as is the custom, on Good Friday. It was the turn of Bach's dramatic Passion according to St John, the earlier of his two major Passions. Under the direction of the English conductor and organist Simon Preston, the performance was a great success, with only the slightest momentary flaws. . . .
The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg was in good form throughout the evening. The opening chorus of the work was notable for very clearly enunciated (even aspirated) semiquavers from the choir, and all the chorales had a fine balance of tone between the voices. . .

Fitting climax to Beethoven festival
 
Beethoven: Choral Fantasy & C minor Mass
By MICHAEL TRAUB

The conductor Richard Cock was clearly in his element in this all-Beethoven concert, which offered seldom-heard works: these were the Choral Fantasy and the C minor Mass.. . ..
The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg sang fervently in a work that is new to most of the singers (as performers, of course). . .

A spirited rendition
By MICHAEL TRAUB
MUSIC BY MOZART

An all- Mozart concert, the main item of which was the famous Requiem, drew a capacity audience last Sunday afternoon. . .
The Requiem  was given a spirited rendering by all concerned. The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg suffers from a shortage of male voices, but managed a fair blend and an adequate balance of tone. . .

Soloists must be congratulated

Handel’s Messiah
By MICHAEL TRAUB

The annual Good Friday performance of Handel's Messiah was gratifyingly well attended, and those who took the trouble to come were presented with one of the better interpretations.

. . . The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg showed plenty of evidence of careful drilling - anyway, they must know Messiah almost by heart by now! . . .

Richard Cock knows Messiah like the back of his hand. His tempi were on the brisk side in accordance with modern interpretations of Baroque style. . . .

Solid renditions of diverse and well-known choruses
FAMOUS SECULAR AND SACRED CHORUSES
By MICHAEL TRAUB

A wide range of choral extracts, both secular and sacred, made up the 20th anniversary programme of the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg. . . .For the entire two decades the conductor has been Richard Cock, who directed this concert with his customary flair, and introduced each item in his own inimitable fashion.

There were 18 items in all, . .  .The blend of sound was good, the balance between the various voice-types satisfactory, and the obedience to the conductor exemplary.
The whole auspicious occasion was topped off by a party after the concert to which the entire audience was invited.