Christmas Concert ()
With brass group Brassworks. Conducted by Andrew Lumsden.
Pieces
- Ave Maria, WAB 7 (1882) — Bruckner
- Ecce sacerdos, WAB 13 (1885) — Bruckner
- Locus Iste, WAB 23 (1869) — Bruckner
- Let The Bright Seraphim (from Samson, HWV 57) (1741) — Handel
- Let Their Celestial Concerts Unite (from Samson, HWV 57) (1741) — Handel
- I Was Glad (1902) — Parry
- Gloria (1974) — Rutter
- Te Deum (1990) — Rutter
- O Clap Your Hands (1920) — Vaughan Williams
- The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune (1953) — Vaughan Williams
Venue
Lichfield Cathedral, The Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LD [map]
« The Kingdom (May 2001) ‖ Carol Concert (Dec 2001) »
Reviews
Choir's stimulating concert
What a delight it was to hear such a varied programme from Lichfield Cathedral Special Choir at the concert on December 8 in the Cathedral.
The contrasting music was stimulating to the large audience and a challenge to the choir, who were joined on this occasion by the brass ensemble Brassworks, soprano soloist Philippa Hyde and the organist Robert Sharpe.
We were treated to an impassioned performance of three motets by Bruckner, the singers responding well to the demands of unaccompanied singing, which exposed all the voice parts.
The remainder of the choral programme was entirely English, ranging from Handel to John Rutter, and including Vaughan Williams’ timeless arrangement of the Old 100th.
Brassworks, a brass octet with percussion from Birmingham, led by CBSO bass trombonist Alwyn Green, included music by Saint-Saëns and Wagner and gave us rich, sonorous sounds interspersed with exciting nimble passages, particular praise going to the tuba and euphonium players. A seasonal addition to the programme was an appealing arrangement of Rutter’s Shepherds Pipe Carol, by the tuba player, Stuart Birnie.
Let the Bright Seraphim by Handel, enabled the soprano, Philippa Hyde and trumpeter Steve Lee to show us their many talents and they were accompanied very sensitively by Robert Sharpe.
All performers were brought together in Rutter’s Te Deum and Gloria, which were in turn, sensitive and dramatic, only becoming a little tentative in the male voices in the more exposed syncopated sections.
Andrew Lumsden will be sadly missed when he moves to Winchester in 2002, but he leaves behind a fine choir, which has benefited greatly from his leadership.
Margaret Langford, December 2001