British Candlelit Classics

Choral music at St Bartholomew’s is a Fringe staple and a mixed bag started well with William Walton’s Crown Imperial March, first performed at the coronation of KIng George VI and latterly at William and Kate’s wedding. Three British Folksongs followed, beautifully arranged by John Rutter for choir and orchestra.

The greatest part of the evening however was devoted to Bob Chilcott’s modern Requiem (premiered in 2010) which however uplifting doesn’t yet deserve the label classic, though Hanel’s Zadok The Priest, continuing the coronation theme, and concluding the programme undoubtably does.

The audience joined the choir for Thomas Arne’s God Save The Queen, though why stop at one verse and not take the opportunity to sing all five verses?

Brilliant instrumentalists, class soloists and a powerful choir held this slightly disjointed programme together.

St Bartholomew’s, 12 May 2012

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