BREMF: The Field of the Cloth of Gold, The Tallis Scholars

From the volatile, testosterone-fuelled ‘Camp du Drap d’Or’, when Henry VIII met François I in jousting, posturing and partying, with wine literally flowing from fountains, we might have expected a more vigorous programme, or at least some stark contrasts. Instead we heard music suitable for the extravagant but temporary chapel. Of ten singers, four were basses and the glorious sounds were predominantly sonorous, sustained and low. When the two trebles ( sorry, wonderfully clear sopranos!) did sing their voices glowed in the majestic acoustic. My favourite moment was Cornysh’s ‘Ah Robin’ sung by four solo men, the only secular work.

Incidentally, the new boiler at St Bart’s meant that this Brighton Early Music Festival event was warm even on a really chilly winter night.

St Bartholomew’s Church, 26 October 2012

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