REVIEW: Sheffield Bach Choir, St Mark's, Broomhill
THE varied selection of items in the programme were chosen for their personal significance to conductor Peter Collis, for whom this was the last concert with the choir.
We began the proceedings with an enjoyable blast through Psalm 100 as set by Schtz, for which the choir was split antiphonally.
St Mark's large blocky pulpit pushed one group forward so their sound was more immediate; this in fact proved a more aurally exciting contrast than the usual equal left and right spacing.
Lennox Berkeley's Missa Brevis followed – Collis is linked to Berkeley via his teacher Richard Rodney Bennett – in which the singers were generally convincing and even found drama amid Berkeley's dense chromatic textures and constant tonal ambiguity.
Following that, the Bach Mass in A Major was the low point of the evening, suffering from ensemble problems and a general lack of punch.
After the interval, Faur's Requiem was an entirely different story, with Collis drawing out a heartfelt performance of real warmth, passion and contrast, and deeply sensitive playing from a pared-down South Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra.
The organist was Alan Brown, and soloists were the amicable David Townend (baritone), Jenny Leadbeater (soprano) and Sheila Wilkinson (contralto, in the Bach).
BUY ONLINE: The Sheffield Telegraph and Property Guide are now out every Thursday. To sign up on line click here.
MORE:
Local News
Local Sport
Arts Guide
Community News
Listings Guide
Restaurant Guide
Letters
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
