Ex Cathedra for Holy Week at St John’s Smith Square

By David Truslove, 28 March 2018

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“beautifully sung with perfect blend and intonation”

Reviewed at Smith Square Hall, London on 26 March 2018

Anerio, Rispondi, Abramo

Anerio, Sedea lasso Gesù

Carissimi, Jepthé

Charpentier, Le Reniement de St Pierre H 424

Monteverdi, O infelix recessus

Monteverdi, Book V Madrigals: Stabat Virgo Maria

Monteverdi, Book V Madrigals: Ure me, Domine amore tuo

Works by Gesualdo

Works by Bouzignac

Ex Cathedra Consort

Jeffrey Skidmore, Conductor

Rejoicing with Ex Cathedra Consort in Birmingham

Katherine Dixson, 8th December

I was in two minds whether to opt for this concert, as I’d have another one to review the following day, but from the first note it was clearly the right decision.

****1

More than just a concert: Ex Cathedra perform Rachmaninov’s Vespers

Simon Cummings, 15th October

Enhanced by bells, Ex Cathedra Jeffrey Skidmore give a low-key but highly dramatic performance of Rachmaninov’s Vespers in Birmingham Town Hall

****1

The power of individual voices: Ex Cathedra’s St Matthew Passion

Simon Cummings, 7th April

Bradley Smith, as Evangelist, and a fine cast of soloists drove this Good Friday account of Bach’s St Matthew Passion from Ex Cathedra in Birmingham.

****1

Airborne string players and choral wizardry in aus LICHT Part 3

Jenny Camilleri, 2nd June

In the final instalment of aus LICHT, the Helicopter String Quartet lives up to the publicity hype and choirs perform marvellous feats.

****1

Inspired juxtapositions: Rachmaninov’s Vespers

Mark Pullinger, 27th September

In performing the Vespers in the acoustically wonderful Milton Court, Jeffrey Skidmore took the imaginative decision to interleaving its movements with solo piano works, played by Steven Osborne. It proved inspirational programming.

****1

Ex Cathedra's small scale Messiah

Travis Mason, 7th December

Ex Cathedra's Chorus in fine voice for a "small scale" Messiah in Birmingham.

***11

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David Truslove

After many years as a musician – conducting choirs, singing as a lay clerk at Winchester Cathedral and an involvement in education, David now writes programme notes, occasionally composes and enjoys a busy schedule of reviewing.