Music for Holy Week – Deborah Roberts & Kat Carson (sopranos)

Pure solo voices sang a lesson each of Francois Couperin’s ‘Trois Leçons de ténèbres’, Baroque settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah. Their sensitive ornamentation thrilled in the Gothic vaults as Couperin’s dramatic phrases were caressed by the gentle accompaniment of Paul Neville’s sensuous viola da gamba. Everything was discreetly supported by John Hancorn’s chamber organ. Then they sang Lesson 3 together and I had to suppress a gasp. Rising together with sustained suspensions, the inter-weaving voices, well matched yet distinctive, became even more angelic – and that is how this deeply sombre music left so many appreciative people smiling happily!

St Paul’s Church, 1 April 2015

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