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CHRISTOPHER SMITH Norwich Cathedral
CHRISTOPHER SMITH
> Norwich Cathedral
Christopher Duarte brought a powerful programme of music from, or inspired by, Renaissance Rome.
His select small group of singers had Timothy Patient at the little chamber organ gently underpinning the settings.
Balance and blend were attractive features in Nanino's We Adore You; a more sombre spirit was caught in a motet by Morales.
Soriano's arrangement of Palestrina's Pope Marcellus Mass offered a welcome opportunity to hear a classic of the period in unfamiliar guise. Though the opening movement came across well, the Gloria was quite a disappointment. Fortunately all was redeemed by the Sanctus.
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Morten Lauridsen's Madrigali were also interpretations of Italian poems from the 16th century.
As the singers showed in their flexible responses to a difficult score, Lauridsen was loyal to tradition in always reflecting a wide range of emotions with dramatic intensity.
Marking a return to more conventional values, Palestrina's Jubilate provided a confident finale.
