Snow on Snow: SCO Chorus brightens the solstice darkness

The SCO Chorus and Gregory Batsleer

By David Smythe, 21 December 2023

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“harmonies were close, sleepy dissonances taking time to resolve”

Reviewed at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh on 20 December 2023

Swayne, Magnificat

Holst, In the Bleak Midwinter

Warlock, Bethlehem Down

Leach, Touch of Heaven

McDowall, Now may we singen

Capperauld, The Night Watch (world premiere)

Tavener, The Lamb

Tavener, Chant for solo cello

Poulenc, Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152

Bach, Cello suite no. 4 in E flat major, BWV1010: Sarabande

Beamish, In the Stillness

Traditional, Wexford Carol (arr. Rutter)

Whitacre, Lux Aurumque

Philip Higham, Cello

SCO Chorus

Gregory Batsleer, Choirmaster / chorus director

A tale of two Glorias: Poulenc and Vivaldi with the SCO in Edinburgh

Simon Thompson, 9th October

Three sopranos, two Glorias and one French composer who isn’t great box office: the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus sound great, but where is the audience?

****1

Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform moving Fauré

David Smythe, 27th February

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform Fauré moving Requiem and Vaughan Williams Mystical Songs with the SCO Chorus and Roderick Williams.

****1

Václav Luks conducts a sprightly Christmas Oratorio

David Smythe, 28th November

A month early, perhaps, but Václav Luks conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus in Bach's joyful celebration of the Christmas story.

****1

An outstanding Elijah from SCO and Maxim Emelyanychev

David Smythe, 9th May

An outstanding Elijah from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus with Maxim Emelyanychev, headed up by Roderick Williams, with Carolyn Sampson, Rowan Pierce, Anna Stéphany and Thomas Walker.

*****

A neglected Schubert masterpiece from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

David Smythe, 30th November

Two short choral works and a Bach double violin concerto introduce Schubert’s neglected masterpiece, his Mass in A flat major.

****1

Emelyanychev and the SCO make Mozart magical in Edinburgh

David Smythe, 12th August

Maxim Emelyanychev, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus and a luxury cast of soloists enchant in a concert performance of The Magic Flute at the Edinburgh International Festival.

****1

More reviews...

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.