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www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk © 2011 Somerset Chamber Choir Registered Charity No.1003687
Patrons: Dame Emma Kirkby and Sir David Willcocks
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Works: |
Fauré
Franck Saint- Charpentier
Du Mont Poulenc Villette Duruflé |
Requiem Cantique de Jean Racine Panis Angelicus O Salutaris Hostia Omni die dic mariae Salve puerule Cantatibus organis Salve Regina Hymne à la vierge Quatre motets Toccata from Suite Op.5 |
Performers: |
Somerset Chamber Choir Richard Pearce Graham Caldbeck |
Organ Conductor |
Review:
I had an early indication of the popularity of the Somerset Chamber Choir when I arrived early at King’s College Chapel, Taunton, only to be told that the car park was already full. Attracting a full house of over 450 people was just one of the positives in a very successful afternoon for this remarkable choir.
In a programme of “beautiful French sacred music”, and with a clever mix of early
with more modern music, conductor Graham Caldbeck had fashioned a concert that delivered
considerably more than the sum of its parts. From Du Mont and Charpentier, through
Franck, Saint-
Rarely have I heard Fauré’s Requiem sung with such caring attention to detail; the choir was on excellent form, and the soloists Alison Naftalin and John Broad matched up to the same exacting standards. The performers treated us to a truly moving performance.
And this was not just easy music; the choir negotiated the unexpected twists and turns of Poulenc’s Salve Regina with apparent ease and this listener found the work, and the whole concert, most affecting.
Virtuoso organist, Richard Pearce, was impressive both in the Requiem and in Duruflé’s Toccata from Suite Opus 5, a showpiece that challenges the notion that organists have only ten fingers and two legs like the rest of us.
We are blessed indeed to have such a choir on our doorstep; all they need is a bigger car park.
Michael Capiens
Sunday 25 February 2007
King’s College Chapel, Taunton
‘La musique sacrée’