Reviews: Sydney Chamber Choir's 'Time and Place'
Classikon
Sydney Chamber Choir took audiences on an emotive journey through Time and Place
Pepe Newton | 12 November 2019
Sydney Chamber Choir is a truly excellent vocal ensemble. In a recent interview with Limelight Magazine, Artistic Director Sam Allchurch described his experience in this first year with the choir as equivalent to being handed the keys to a Rolls Royce, as both mechanic and driver. I think his choice of works in this, their last concert for 2019 showed his growing competence in the driver’s seat.
Sydney Arts Guide
Sydney Chamber Choir: Time and Place
Annabelle Drumm | 13 November 2019
From the very first note this group was sure, spot on pitch and holding an incredible unity of sound. Their rich, golden tone filled the Verbruggen Hall, making the most of the great acoustics and the audience was spell bound. Absolutely outstanding.
The program titled “Time and Place” featured contemporary music of all living composers with the exception of one. Choral music from America, UK, Canada and Australia threaded nicely together, each piece chosen with care.
Great applause from the audience for what has to be one of the most outstanding choirs in the country. Bravo.
Limelight Magazine
Time & Place (Sydney Chamber Choir)
Angus McPherson | 14 November 2019
The choir was in fine form throughout. The word painting in former SCC Artistic Director Paul Stanhope’s I Have Not Your Dreaming – setting Margaret Glendenning’s tribute to her teacher Oodgeroo Noonuccal – was a highlight, an erupting texture illustrating the poet’s “sweet poetry of ibis flight”, while the a cappella singing in a trio of anthems by Healey Willan – texts in praise of the Virgin Mary – was assured and sonorous.
The choir was joined by Luke Byrne and Kate Johnson on piano, as well as Adam Jeffrey and Trudy Leopard on glittering percussion, the evocations of bells which were such a thread running through this program becoming a grim knell on the piano, against iridescent choral textures, before the music burst into a vivid, vital dance, in a moving close to this beautifully crafted concert.
