Alex Ho: Tah Dah!
A stimulating challenge for young adult singers and a sparkling, impressive start to a programme
A stimulating challenge for young adult singers and a sparkling, impressive start to a programme
The mainly a cappella performances include an anguished treatment of the Stabat mater as well as a brisk Mass of Trust with orchestra
The assembled forces of St John's Voices and the Cambridge University Chamber Choir under Graham Walker penetrate deep into this attractive corner of Russian repertoire
The new Bärenreiter edition of Saint-Saëns's Christmas Oratorio is clear and legible, with a particularly thoughtful piano accompaniment in the vocal score
Tenebrae, Forshaw and Short are alert to every nuance of meaning in the assorted settings, with each item rendered with great beauty of tone
Too many themes sound like compromises or trade-offs
Buxtehude's piece combines a stiff north German Protestant manner with a flamboyant Italian style
Jóhann Jóhannsson builds an extraordinary electro-acoustic work that examines the poetic resonance of apparently chance juxtapositions
Under David Hill's authoritative direction both works are immediate and engaging, with first-class soloists enhancing their impact
It's unlikely any forthcoming recordings will top this one
The boy choristers have a lovely fresh sound, the lower voices feature some particularly resonant basses
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