Tenebrae weaves a mesmerising spell at Perth Festival of the Arts

By David Smythe, 23 May 2018

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“the experience of the sound in the ancient Kirk heady and unforgettable”

Reviewed at St John's Kirk, Perth on 22 May 2018

Elgar, They are at rest

Tavener, Song for Athene

Gurney, Since I believe in God

Bingham, A Walk With Ivor Gurney

Howells, Take him, earth, for cherishing

Holst, The Evening-watch

Parry, Songs of Farewell

Tenebrae

Nigel Short, Choirmaster / chorus director

Tenebrae sing Pärt, Tallis and Tavener at the Elbphilharmonie

Mengguang Huang, 23rd October

Tenebrae transforms the Elbphilharmonie into a living instrument, exploring centuries of choral music through spatialised sound, Pärt’s tintinnabuli, Renaissance masterpieces and contemporary innovations in a vivid acoustic experiment.

****1

Time stands still in Vilde Frang’s Elgar

Mark Pullinger, 12th September

In an evening pairing two English classics, Sir Antonio Pappano conducts the London Symhony Orchestra in Elgar’s Violin Concerto and an out-of-this-world account of Holst’s The Planets.

*****

A rapt performance from Tenebrae in Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles

David Truslove, 13th May

Thought-provoking and spine-tingling in equal measure, this performance of Joby Talbot’s pilgrimage work showcases Tenebrae as one of the UK’s most significant choral groups.

****1

A luminous start to Rachmaninov's anniversary year from Tenebrae

Benjamin Poore, 26th January

Nigel Short's elite consort casts a candlelit spell at St Martin-in-the-Fields in a performance of Rachmaninov's All Night Vigil.

****1

Light amid darkness: stellar performance from Tenebrae

David Larkin, 22nd January

An exquisite evening of British 20th-century choral music from Tenebrae under Nigel Short at the Sydney Festival, with outstanding renditions of the music of Parry, Bingham and Stanford.

*****

Tenebrae performs Tenebrae at the Sydney Festival

Zoltán Szabó, 21st January

British choir Tenebrae performs Masterworks of the Renaissance in Sydney's City Recital Hall.

****1

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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.