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Ancient and Modern Christmas icons from the SCO Chorus in Edinburgh

By David Smythe, 17 December 2016
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“The Kirk rather frowns on visual religious imagery, but if the eyes are can’t see, the ears can hear”
Reviewed at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh on 15 December 2016
Programme
Britten, A Ceremony of Carols, Op.28
Poulenc, Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152
Byrd, Pavanne for Lord Salisbury
Dowland, Lachrymae Antiquae Pavan
Byrd, This day Christ was born
Byrd, O admirabile commertium
Tavener, The Lamb
MacMillan, The Strathclyde Motets: O Radiant Dawn
Lauridsen, O Magnum Mysterium
Performers
Gregory Batsleer, Conductor
SCO Chorus
Sharron Griffiths, Harp
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A tale of two Glorias: Poulenc and Vivaldi with the SCO in Edinburgh
Simon Thompson, 9th October

Three sopranos, two Glorias and one French composer who isn’t great box office: the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus sound great, but where is the audience?

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Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform moving Fauré
David Smythe, 27th February

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform Fauré moving Requiem and Vaughan Williams Mystical Songs with the SCO Chorus and Roderick Williams. 

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Václav Luks conducts a sprightly Christmas Oratorio
David Smythe, 28th November

A month early, perhaps, but Václav Luks conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus in Bach's joyful celebration of the Christmas story. 

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An outstanding Elijah from SCO and Maxim Emelyanychev
David Smythe, 9th May

An outstanding Elijah from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus with Maxim Emelyanychev, headed up by Roderick Williams, with Carolyn Sampson, Rowan Pierce, Anna Stéphany and Thomas Walker.

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Snow on Snow: SCO Chorus brightens the solstice darkness
David Smythe, 20th December

A delightful seasonal showcase from the SCO Chorus, directed and conducted by Gregory Batsleer, in a programme of ancient and modern music and texts in the historic setting of Greyfriars Kirk.

****1
A neglected Schubert masterpiece from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
David Smythe, 30th November
Two short choral works and a Bach double violin concerto introduce Schubert’s neglected masterpiece, his Mass in A flat major. 
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
A Ceremony of Carols, Op.28Benjamin BrittenFrancis PoulencGregory BatsleerJohn DowlandJohn TavenerLachrymae Antiquae PavanMorten LauridsenQuatre motets pour le temps de Noël, FP 152SCO ChorusSharron GriffithsSir James MacMillanThe LambThe Strathclyde Motets: O Radiant DawnWilliam Byrd
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David Smythe
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.