As part of Edinburgh's internationally famous Fringe Festival, The National Youth Choir Of Scotland concluded a short local tour, by performing for one evening only inside the stunningly beautiful medieval surroundings of St. Giles's Cathedral.
The only problem with such a venue is sight-lines. Churches were never built with performances in mind, and so pillars and goodness knows what else obstructs the view, and of course the seating is not raked either. However, this is a minor consideration since we were there primarily to listen, not see - and the acoustics with all those vaulted ceilings, were just great.
The choir started the evening with 'Rejoice In The Lamb' by Benjamin Britten. The sound the choir created was simply dreamy. Lush harmonies of cascading sound. My only slight issue with this work was that some of the enunciation / diction was indistinct. However, the quality of sound produced soon made me forget that I couldn't actually understand everything being sung. Four soloists were utilised for this, and all four were superb, although I had to slightly soft spot for both the contralto and bass.
In this and the subsequent piece, the choir were accompanied on the organ by Michael Bawtree, and conducted by Christopher Bell.
The show-piece was next; Durufle's magnificent and beautiful setting of the Latin Requiem Mass. Each movement flowing from one to another like water over a stone, as I simply allowed the music to wash over me. The diction in the Requiem was never an issue and all the words were, like the ripples of cascading sound, crystal clear. At times intense and dramatic, at others, allowing just a sliver of sound to diminuendo to silence; sometimes soporific, at others stimulating and exciting. But always centred, controlled, harmonic, and technically superb. The breathing control was amazing, and the mass choral sound produced was envy-inducing. I should also like to add that the contralto soloist in Pie Jesu was simply outstanding.
The absolutely perfect way to end of long and arduous day of binge-Fringe-ing, these choristers ranging in age from 16 to 25, are the future of classical choral music, and if this is what the future holds, then it is in extremely safe and talented hands. Bravissimi tutti.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 22.8.22
on - 22.8.22
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