The inspirational choral director and renaissance music scholar David Trendell died this week.
It was fitting The Sixteen dedicated their concert of some of the 17th century’s most sensuous and joyful music to his memory.
A programme of works explored the musical links between Venice, Rome and Warsaw (BREMF’s theme this year is cities) and featured the work of Polish composer Bartlomiej Pekiel (1633-1670).
Pekiel wrote for the all male voices of Wawel Cathedral and here in the cavernous acoustic of St Bart’s the deep bass lines of unmistakably eastern flavour were beautifully served by the chaps of The Sixteen. Meanwhile the ascending soprano lines of Anerio’s Missa Pulchra Es scaled the looming brickwork with transforming ethereal grace.
Actually they were 18 altogether. Pacelli’s gorgeous Dum Esset Rex requires five separate choirs for this extravagant setting from the Song Of Songs. Under the direction of Eamonn Dougan, the opulent layering of the intricate vocal lines was so perfectly balanced that the effect was of a single, dazzling instrument.
The Sixteen sang it all: colour, emotion, devotion, precision, richness, beauty. Joy.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article