Reviews

Vivaldi and Bach

Sunday 14th May 2017

“First up was Vivaldi’s well-known Gloria, RV 589. This was taken at a slick pace, but The Chiesa Ensemble, notably the trumpets, were up to it. The attack from the choir was excellent, as were the gradations of dynamics. The choir threw themselves into this lively work with vigour … ” – Middle C

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Purcell, Mozart, Parry and Whitbourn

Sunday 15 May 2016

“The last section [of Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore, K 339], the ‘Magnificat’, ranks with other great settings of that text and the choir did it energetic justice, with a final gathering of splendid solo forces; and bold choral singing … ” – Middle C

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St.Matthew Passion rich and dramatic

Performed Sunday, 29th March 2015. (credits: www.cityfilms.co.nz, videographer – Tony Hiles)
In the above extract the choir sings the chorus “Herr, wir haben gedacht, daß dieser Verführer sprach”.

“… It made for an extraordinarily satisfying and enriching musical experience – one suspects for both the audience and the musicians, in this case – and an occasion I think the Bach Choir can justly regard as a triumph.” – Middle C

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Bach Choir hits the Christmas Spot

Saturday 28th November 2015

“Our sense of ‘the ordinary and the fabulous’ was nicely blurred by the juxtapositioning of audience carols with the rest of the programme, our rendition of Away in a Manger followed as it was by five lovely settings by Richard Rodney Bennett of Christmas texts from earlier times. […] most enjoyable!”

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Fauré and other delights

Saturday, 5th April 2014

“… Stephen Rowley’s conducting enabled the work to unfold with a kind of natural outpouring of expression, as almost nothing seemed forced or too sharply-etched – only an unexpected intensification of tempo and tension at the words “Lux aeterna luceat eis” which came to a dramatic head at “quia pius est” gave me a start for a few seconds, until I realized that what he was doing at that point was actually working. …” – Middle C

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Resplendent Mozart Requiem

Saturday 31st March 2012

“… As the work progressed the choir’s energies seemed constantly to renew themselves, the vigour and focus of the “Osanna” fugues carrying over to the final “Cum sanctis tuis”, and bringing things to a resplendent conclusion. But there was also dignity, tenderness and warmth to be had from the Agnus Dei, with Douglas Mews’ registrations deftly coloring the music’s different dynamics. …” – Middle C

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Brahms and Mendelssohn Performance – Auf dem See

Saturday, 28th July 2012