MICHAEL DRAKE Following their summer visit it was by public demand that this young chamber choir returned last evening to Gresham's School Chapel to give another spell-binding performance.
MICHAEL DRAKE
Following their summer visit it was by public demand that this young chamber choir returned last evening to Gresham's School Chapel to give another spell-binding performance.
The Laudibus Chamber Choir is part of the National Youth Choir of GB and their precision, purity of tone and vocal control from the opening Salve Regina by Victoria immediately confirmed their award winning, world class.
And to the ecstatic choral progression of Allain's similarly titled piece Mike Brewer, whose direction ranged from a simple hand movement to animated gestures, obtained instant reactions from the 23 singers — witness the change from delicacy to a surge of vocal power in Byrd's Vigilante and the wonderfully dancing rhythm in Bach's Lobet Den Herren.
The programme's spiritual heart came in their joyous singing of Vaughan Williams' Mass in G minor. Transformation then came in lighter, close-harmony numbers and a luscious arrangement of Baylero.
One didn't dare advert attention for a moment lest a nuance be missed.
Spell binding indeed, and I anticipate another demand.
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