Part of the Next Wave Festival, 21c Liderabend achieved a delicate balance that, more times than not, New York’s larger performing arts venues fail to accomplish: an intimate experience in an extravagant, larger-scale setting.
Raucous cheering and stamping accompanied Eric Whitacre’s entrance and he looked every bit the part of rock star as he charismatically took to the mic to introduce this evening’s concert. Never before, he told us, had he been to a choral concert that made him seriously consider stagediving.
In my notes for this evening’s concert by Renaissance, a chamber choir founded by the young singer, conductor and composer Ben Rowarth, one word kept recurring – “thoughtful”. This was a programme that had been carefully put together, and which was performed without any unnecessary flashiness or attempts to impress.
It seemed fitting that the Calton Consort's Tenth Anniversary Concert should also be a celebration of the genre they have made their own - contemporary music. Under the direction of Jason Orringe - conductor since its foundation - the choir offered a very varied programme of choral music by living composers, ranging in age from 41 to 103.
Visiting the Sage to perform a larger concert tomorrow night with the National Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Choir of Scotland presented a solo recital this evening, showcasing, we were told, some of their recent repertoire and favourite pieces, including contemporary arrangements of Scottish folk songs.
