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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: |
Bach |
Mass in B minor |
Performers: |
Somerset Chamber Choir Canzona Emma Kirkby Tim Mead Andrew Tortise Samuel Evans Graham Caldbeck |
Director: Theresa Caudle Soprano Countertenor Tenor Bass Conductor |
Review:
Bach’s Mass in B minor requires a combination of extremely accomplished singers and players. In the Somerset Chamber Choir, Canzona and eminent soloists under the direction of Graham Caldbeck, a great deal was achieved in their performance of this monumental work at Wells Cathedral last Saturday (30th July) to a capacity audience.
Having succeeded during 1747/8 in completing his Mass, Bach was always going to require performers with high technical skills, sound musicianship, experience in plenty and great confidence. All the performing elements last Saturday had these in abundance.
On the whole the choir managed the quick-
The excellent array of soloists complemented this performance brilliantly. They were the distinguished soprano, Dame Emma Kirkby, Samuel Evans (bass) – his Et in Spiritum was beautifully balanced by the Canzona oboes – and Andrew Tortise, a tenor with complete ease of sound. The countertenor Tim Mead possesses a stunning voice and his effortless legato in the Agnus Dei was very moving.
The success of this performance was underpinned by the players of Canzona (leader: Theresa Caudle), demonstrating superb Baroque music credentials and providing the outstanding instrumental soloists.
The huge structure of the Bach Mass requires a conductor who will carefully select convincing tempos for his musical forces and firmly but sympathetically direct them. In Graham Caldbeck, the Somerset Chamber Choir’s director of 21 years, the performance was in very safe hands.
This choir is of enormous cultural value and significance for Somerset and the region: its achievements should be widely recognised and celebrated.
Andrew Maddocks
Published in the Western Daily Press, Mid Somerset series newspapers and Somerset County Gazette
Saturday 30 July 2011
Wells Cathedral
Bach Mass in B minor
‘This choir is of enormous cultural value and significance for Somerset and the region: its achievements should be widely recognised and celebrated’