Tenebrae – Brighton Consort – Katie Thomas (director)

Victoria’s impassioned ‘Tenebrae Responsories’, Lotti’s intricate eight-part ‘Crucifixus’ and Allegri’s blissful ‘Miserere’ with its ecstatic high Cs, are perfect music for a Sunday afternoon in Lent. Two very expressive verses from ‘Lamentations of Jeremiah’ by the adventurous Argentinian, Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983) added some extra Latin fire. Another Tenebrae verse, ‘O vos Omnes’, set by the renowned Catalan cellist Pablo Casals, enriched this delicious programme with a shot of daring romantic harmonies. It’s ironic that Lent, the season of moaning self-denial, has inspired such gorgeously sensual music. Brighton Consort rose to the challenge of expressing all its vigour and mystical passion.

St Paul’s Church, 13 March 2016
Rating:
Andrew Connal