Christopher
Morley's Classical CD of the week in the Birmingham Post. 6th February 1999
BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR "Cantate Domino" (BBC):
Paul Spicer has
devised here an enjoyable sequence, sourced mainly from John Rutter's recent
OUP compendium European Sacred Music, reflecting the strength in depth of his
Birmingham Bach Choir's repertoire. The mood is predominantly reflective
(indeed, even the opening offering, Gabrielli's Jubilate Deo, seems more
pensive than affirmative), though leavened by more extrovert material along the
way. There is a fair proportion of 19th century music here: Brahms (both choral
and solo organ), Bruckner (including the well loved Locus Iste), Rheinburger
and Mendelssohn, whose wonderfully affecting vocal writing is stiffened by
appropriately virile delivery. From other centuries we relish Lotti's famous,
emotion-laden Crucifixus and, the biggest surprise in this collection, the
simple dignity and genuine piety of O Vos Omnes by cellist Pablo Casals. |
