Viennese whirl in Birmingham: Sweet treats from the Vienna Boys' Choir

By Katherine Dixson, 08 October 2012

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Reviewed at Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham on 5 October 2012

Haydn, Insanae et vanae curae

Gallus, Missa ad imitationem Pater noster: Christe eleison

Caldara, Ego sum panis vivus (I am the living bread)

Haydn, Feast of the Holy Innocents: Anima nostra

Rheinberger, Wie lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen

Bruckner, Um Mitternacht, WAB 90

Brahms, 4 Gesänge, Op.17

Brahms, Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang (I Hear a Harp), Op.17 no.1

Brahms, Lied von Shakespeare (Song from Shakespeare), Op.17 no.2

Brahms, Der Gärtner (The Gardener), Op.17 no.3

Brahms, Gesang aus Fingal (Song from Fingal), Op.17 no.4

Eder, Der Traum der Armen

Sulzer, Missa vocalis, Op. 40b: Laudate Dominum

Joel, Vienna

Joel, The Longest Time

Joel, This Night

Roth, Derweil i noch klein war (When I was little)

Kreisler, Taubenvergiften (Poisoning pigeons)

Schubert, Gondelfahrer (Mayrhofer), D.808

Schubert, Gott ist mein Hirt, (Der 23. Psalm), D.706

Strauss II, Morgenblätter (Morning Papers), Op.279

Strauss II, Tritsch Tratsch Polka, Op.214

The Vienna Boys' Choir

Kerem Sezen, Conductor

Shock of the new: Vienna RSO

Chanda VanderHart, 9th April

Fingers and bows fluttered through dance-like figures and virtuosic passages packed with trills with astonishing clarity and brilliance.

****1

The Vienna Boys Choir Performs at the Meyerhoff

Raisa Massuda, 4th December

Over the centuries, pure angelic voices and truly remarkable vocal technique have brought the Vienna Boys Choir international acclaim and undying popularity. Founded in Austria over five hundred years ago, the oldest boys’ choir in the world embraces both old tradition and new vision.

Concertos – for violin and for orchestra – from the Hallé

Peter Connors, 22nd March

Viktoria Mullova is a superb soloist in Brahms' Violin Concerto, while an orchestra full of soloists play Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra with Kahchun Wong presiding.

*****

Guitars, electronics and ancient treatises: the JACK Quartet at 92NY

Kurt Gottschalk, 20th March

At 92NY, the JACK Quartet performs four new works developed in their JACK Studio, including a commissioned premiere from the electrifying Tristan Perich.

****1

Chopin and Franck reframed with elegance and insight in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 20th March

In Dublin, Jean-Luc Tingaud and Louis Lortie bring clarity and purpose to two composers often ill at ease with the orchestra.

****1

Kristiina Poska makes an exciting return to conduct the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 20th March

Kristiina Poska directs the RSNO in gripping Tchaikovsky and Pärt, but words and music only occasionally match in Elena Langer's new song cycle.

***11

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Katherine Dixson

Katherine is an enthusiastic choral singer. Becoming chairman of her choir proved the catalyst for writing a memoir into which she crammed musical experiences galore, including her own belated musical education and encounters with professional musicians. Combining music, writing and travel is Katherine’s idea of bliss. Her website is here.