Trials of love told vividly by the Dunedin Consort in Edinburgh

By David Smythe, 26 February 2022

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“it was fun watching the players tearing into this music with abandon”

Reviewed at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh on 25 February 2022

Handel, Concerto Grosso in D major, Op.6 No.5, HWV 323

Scarlatti, Bella madre dei fiori

Handel, Apollo e Dafne, HWV 122

Anna Dennis, Soprano

Matthew Brook, Bass-baritone

Dunedin Consort

John Butt, Director

The Dunedin Consort Messiah remains a welcome seasonal speciality

David Smythe, 18th December

The Dunedin Messiah, a speciality with Baroque instruments, is given with soloists Nardus Williams, Lotte Betts-Dean, Joshua Ellicott and Dingle Yandell in Perth, directed by John Butt.

****1

Leipzig 300: Dunedin Consort explores the Thomaskantor shortlist

David Smythe, 7th February

The Dunedin Consort explores the 1723 Thomaskantor shortlist: Georg Philipp Telemann, Christoph Graupner and Johann Sebastian Bach in a programme directed by John Butt.

****1

Troubled times reflected in Songs of War I Have Seen

David Smythe, 13th October

Composed for Baroque and modern players with Gertrude Stein’s spoken text, Heiner Goebbels Songs of War I Have Seen in an intriguing performance conducted by Ellie Slorach.

***11

An especially memorable Messiah from the Dunedin Consort

David Smythe, 14th December

John Butt directs the Dunedin Consort and a top team of soloists in St Mary's Cathedral for Handel's seasonal favourite.

*****

Authenticity and enjoyment in Dunedin Consort's Acis and Galatea

David Smythe, 22nd June

Rachel Redmond is a sweet voiced Galatea in the Dunedin Consort's performance of the Cannons version of Acis and Galatea in Perth.

****1

Evangelical fervour: Dunedin Consort's St Matthew Passion

Roy Westbrook, 12th April

Tenor Nicholas Mulroy directs a one-voice-to-a-part account of Bach's St Matthew Passion, featuring some splendid singing.

***11

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.