An evening of Russian choral gems with the Holst Singers

As Autumn sets in, the City of London Sinfonia give us a final taste of Midsummer in a charming and diverse concert. 

Living in the city is alternately an experience of exhilarating interconnectedness and one of unbearable loneliness. On the good days, you share a sympathetic smile with your fellow commuters on a packed Tube train, you trade easy banter with the cashier at the Sainsbury’s checkout, and you feed off the buzz of the crowd as you head out for a night in Shoreditch.

It isn't often you hear six members of the Estonian Television Girls Choir join forces with the Holst Singers and Imogen Heap to perform a live a cappella soundtrack to a 1920s French surrealist film about a libidinous priest. But I am delighted to have seized the opportunity last night, when this bizarre setup hit the Camden Roundhouse as part of this year's genre-baiting Reverb festival.

Stephen Layton conducts Haydn and Handel, and is joined by soprano Sara Macliver for Bach and Mozart for a joyful evening. 

A star-studded group of soloists and a wonderful choir make for an interesting, if not always convincing, interpretation of Bach's joyous oratorio. 

Singapore Symphony Children's and Youth Choirs are led by Stephen Layton in music by Britten, Rautavaara and Vivaldi, heralding a blessed Christmas season.