www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk  © 2011 Somerset Chamber Choir  Registered Charity No.1003687  

Patrons: Dame Emma Kirkby and Sir David Willcocks

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Review:

Twenty years in the pursuit of excellence...

Not just a dream, but solid reality for the Somerset Chamber Choir whose legendary achievements have often been lauded by press and public alike. At the celebratory concert in Wells Cathedral last Saturday their combination of intelligent programme material and high standards simply confirmed past praise.

Conductor Graham Caldbeck  calls the choir a community of friends and it is precisely this level of intensity and commitment that adds that little extra to every concert given. The programme at Wells was attractive and the support of internationally known soloists such as Emma Kirkby, James Bowman, and Peter Harvey ably assisted by Elizabeth Watts, Andrew Kennedy and Håkan Ekenäs set the seal on a memorable evening.

Britten's Hymn to Saint Cecilia captured the audience in a few seconds. The choir’s a cappella singing of twentieth century music has always impressed and with a composition of this quality they could do no wrong. Genius of another kind followed with Purcell’s ’Hail Bright Cecelia’ and Canzona’s magnificent period orchestral accompaniment proved the natural complement to the performers. Countertenor James Bowman turned each florid decoration with consummate ease yet, occasionally, the weight was lacking; some of the subtleties evaporating into the cavernous nave.

James Macmillan’s Christus Vincit was a triumph and few will forget soprano Elizabeth Watts contribution. Whilst the evening should have ended with Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum, a work which at the half way mark took on a life of its own as the choir gave of their all and showed just why their reputation goes before them. But there was more to come with an encore of Zadok the Priest and how nice to see all the soloists singing as part of the choir for despite the celebrity singers this was the choir's night of glory.

Twenty years culminating in perfection? Don’t you believe it; the best is yet to come!

Philip Knighton

Saturday 31 July 2004

Wells Cathedral

20th Anniversary concert