Page 358 - FINAL_The Sixteen Coverage Book 40th Anniversary Year

11 November 2019
A review of Britten Sinfonia and the

Sixteen in Ely Cathedral, November 2019

Author: Dr Rosemary Westwell Published: 11th November 2019 10:17

Ely Cathedral
A review of Britten Sinfonia and the Sixteen in Ely Cathedral, November 2019
Harry Christophers, Britten Sinfonia and the Sixteen have earned a tremendous reputation.
This was evident in an amazing concert they gave in Ely Cathedral on Saturday night as part
of the Cambridge Music Festival...

Harry Christopher's unique style of conducting not only gave a firm sense of pulse but
reflected the different styles and moods of the varied sections and messages within the
pieces. It was as if he were choreographing the works and the performers responded
immediately.

The full programme included Sir James MacMillan's ‘Misere', Tallis's ‘Why fum'th in fight',
Vaughan William's ‘Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis' and Macmillan's ‘Stabat Mater'.

Each piece was performed with superb technique from both choir and orchestra. The Sixteen
sang with intuitive cohesion and impeccable precision and yet never lost sight of the
inherent creativity and musicality of the works. The quality of their voices was phenomenal.

Britten Sinfonia rose to every challenge especially the huge demands on them in James
MacMillan's ‘Stabat Mater'. Every effect was exquisitely explored ranging from producing the
rich, warm and expansive texture of Vaughan William's ‘Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis'
to MacMillan's meaningful exploration of passion and tension in his ‘Stabat Mater'.

The was indeed a splendid evening.

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