Nonsuch Singers evoke stars and light at St James's Church, Piccadilly

By Jonathan Russell, 22 October 2013

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at St James's Church, Piccadilly, London on 19 October 2013

Victoria, O quam gloriosum

Pärt, O Morgenstern

Victoria, Vidi speciosam

Guerrero, Duo seraphim a 12

Tavener, Angels

Byrd, Laudibus in sanctis

Jackson, Creator of the Stars of Night

Dove, Seek Him that Maketh the Seven Stars

Works by Golijov

Cornelius, Die Könige

Jackson, To the Field of Stars, Cantata for Chorus, Cello and Percussion

Nonsuch Singers

Richard Pearce, Organ

Kate Gould, Cello

Tom Bullard, Conductor

Decibel-busting Prokofiev at its most gloriously raucous

Mark Pullinger, 1st May

A ruthless Russian leader quelling revolt and uniting his country through waging war on its neighbours: the theme of Sergei Eisenstein’s film Ivan the Terrible, intended as a Soviet propagandist parable, raises a knowing eyebrow even today. Excerpts from Prokofiev’s score formed the bulk of this raucously enjoyable concert by the Philharmonia under Vladimir Ashkenazy, beneath a screening of key scenes from the film itself.

****1

London Bridge Trio and guests in Winchester

David Truslove, 1st May

Mozart and Schubert were performed with superb technical assurance and cool precision as part of the Winchester Chamber Music Festival.

****1

Heath Quartet sparkles at Winchester’s Discovery Centre

David Truslove, 2nd May

Members of the London Bridge Ensemble and the Heath Quartet enthralled a capacity audience at the Discovery Centre in the fourth event of the Winchester Chamber Music Festival. The main focus this year was Beethoven and Schumann, the music selected to highlight their musical development at specific times in their careers.

****1

Tippett and Wagner at the Barbican

Katy S. Austin, 19th October

Michael Tippett died 14 years ago but his diverse canon has been relatively underrepresented since, the pacifist A Child of Our Time being perhaps the exception. In tonight’s Barbican outing, it was surprising but refreshing to see his Triple Concerto for violin, viola and cello, written in 1978–9, paired with Henk de Vlieger’s orchestral contraction of Wagner’s Ring cycle.

****1

Serenades and larks ascending: Vaughan Williams at Temple Church

Mark Valencia, 7th May

Four excellent soloists played a major part in the evening’s success, marking the 50th anniversary of the Collegium Musicum of London.

***11

Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle in Greenwich

David Karlin, 6th August

The ultimate musical misnomer, Rossini's last major work is beautifully sung in the wonderful surroundings of the Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

****1

More reviews...

Jonathan Russell

Jonathan Russell is a London-based composer, clarinetist, conductor, and educator, active in music ranging from classical to contemporary to klezmer. He is a member of the Edmund Welles bass clarinet quartet and the Sqwonk bass clarinet duo, and co-founded San Francisco’s Switchboard Music Festival. He holds degrees from Harvard University and San Francisco Conservatory, and is a PhD Candidate at Princeton University.