Page 115 - FINAL_The Sixteen Coverage Book 40th Anniversary Year
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Robert Wylkynson’s Salve Regina was simply a masterclass in choral writing and
the performance left nothing to be desired.
After the aforementioned heavenly commentary, the second half opened with a
welcome invitation to appreciate each vocal offering, and we did.
The performance of Robert Fayrfax’s Eternae Laudis Lilium was just perfect, the
music, stunningly beautiful.
A hard act to follow, but Gabriel Jackson gave it his best shot. His Ave Maria had
moments of genuine inspiration: the passionate, gripping setting of Sanctus
Maria (wonderful resonating bass) and the delicate closing soprano exchanges.
Sir James Macmillan was on good form too. His O Virgo Prudentissima is an
inspired work taken from a fragment by Robert Wylkynson. I particularly liked
the halo of sound, which hung over the later part of the work.
The closing Agnus Dei by John Sheppard was just sublime. As I left, I was trying to
think of an adjective to describe Harry Christophers’ conducting – engaging,
charismatic? – when I heard one lady say to another, "he’s absolutely gorgeous".
Well I can’t possibly comment on that, but the performance was indeed
absolutely gorgeous.
Steve Crowther
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