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Quotable Quotes:

From Jeffrey Archer’s Blog: ‘Carols and Shepherd’s Pie’
On Monday and Tuesday evenings we held our champagne and shepherds’ pie parties, which for me always heralds in the beginning of Christmas. The Tenebrae Choir were even more magnificent this year, and their rendition of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ was poignant and moving. They ended on a hearty version of ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas’ and I would like to pass that on to all the readers of this blog.

Artistic Director of the St.David’s Festival writes:
‘The highlight for many was the Bank Holiday evening concert in which Tenebrae – the astonishingly good professional choir – gave an outstandingly moving performance of Joby Talbot’s pilgrimage cantata Path of Miracles. The reaction of the audience was quite overwhelming, with many moved to tears. There was general amazement that an unaccompanied eighty minute modern choral marathon could have quite that impact.’
St Davids Cathedral Festival 2007

Reknowned Swiss poet, playwrite and music critic, Jürg Fankhauser, writes:
‘Thank you for the CD. I listen to it constantly. I cannot remember ever having heard such a perfect rendition of a choral piece. If I had not been at the concert personally, I would never have believed that this is a live recording. The voices are homogenous, never does a voice stick out. The dynamic is full of variations, from the gentle, mystical, ethereal sound to the huge rush of voices, there is no end to variations. That of course is only possible because of the outstanding singers who are able to produce such a piece. But mostly, the credit must go to Nigel Short, who is like an organist playing with human registers and who gets the ultimate from them. Nobody would ever think that such a sound was produced be only about 20 singers. The choir sounds subtle but majestic. And the cathedral adds weight with great acoustics. I congratulate everybody for their outstanding performance and hope this CD will reach a large public.’ [In translation]

The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd & Rt Hon. David Hope, KCVO, writes:
‘I particularly enjoyed and appreciated the performance of the Tenebrae Choir at the Festival des Centenaires, Beaulieu. Their performance was of the highest musical quality, well disciplined and with great artistry and sensitivity. Here is a group well able to interpret and communicate sacred music in a powerful and compelling way.’
Festival de Musique de Beaulieu-sur-Mer 2003

The British Ambassador to France, Sir John Holmes, KBE, CVO, CMG, writes:
’...I enjoyed all the musical performances at the Festival des Centenaires in October. However, I particularly appreciated the Tenebrae Choir, for the quality and delicacy of their singing and the variety of their repertoire at the Eucharist and the choral concert. I hope that you will be able to use them again at your festival next year.’
Festival de Musique de Beaulieu-sur-Mer 2003

Message Board:

Have you been to a Tenebrae Concert? Have you just heard a Tenebrae CD? Have you met the group or any of its members?

Tell us what you thought or give us your ideas and feedback and we will put some of them up on the site. Just send an email to tenebrae@claymore.ch.

  • Just to say that Tenebrae were utterly brilliant; many people were saying after the concert on Saturday that it was one of the best concerts in the whole 30 years of the Festival. [Chester Festival]
  • We had two reviews of Tenebrae’s concert. I can honestly say it was one of the most talked about and appreciated events in the festival this year. It was stunning. Many thanks for bringing us such a great concert. [Chichester Festival]
  • Dear Tenebrae members, I am writing to express our thanks for the moving performance that you gave last night in Tewkesbury Abbey. Mother and Child is playing as I write this! The Dream of Herod is a masterpiece. Thanks again.
  • You must have been on a tremendous “high” after the concert at the Abbey. It was once again stunning both in musical content and performance. Many congratulations to you and the crew.
  • The concert in St. Maurice was as close to choral perfection as I’ve ever heard. The Dream of Herod was spell-binding and the more well-known Christmas Carols were performed with poise and beauty. All in the wonderful setting of the Abbaye.
  • Dear Tenebrae, thank you so much for singing at my wedding. The group were outstanding and perfect for the occasion. Your close-harmony performance of the Nat King Cole song ‘When I Fall in Love’ will stay in our memories for a long, long time.
  • I have both Tenebrae recordings and have watched the “Dream of Herod” DVD many times. Beyond the flawless execution and attention to every musical detail, the choir’s range of dynamics, color and vocal flexibility are astounding. The use of an entire building during a performance, and the fact that you are not afraid to experiment with the sound in this manner is commendable and refreshing. A better example of fine choral singing would be hard to find, and an equaled presentation impossible to find! I am very much looking forward to your performance here in the USA this October.
  • In addition to the beautiful programming on both of the Tenebrae current CDs, the thing that struck us was the quality of the recording. Janet and I had received the mail about mid-day so I put “Mother And Child” in the CD player while we had lunch. Our lunch time was extended to the length of the entire album and both exclaimed, “what great singing and great music”! I must add that the quality of the recorded sound, done by Signum Records, is also at the very top end of the industry.
  • I just have to say again how wonderful the concert in Tewkesbury was! Seriously, the impact of the “Herod” is great on CD but simply overpowering in person. Thank you for a brilliant musical evening.
  • Just wanted to say thanks for another great concert! Although I had heard the Vespers in the dim and distant, I have never taken part in any performance – the language must be a difficulty – sorry I forgot we are dealing with the cream of pros ! It was a stunning performance – the control and quality of the voices is amazing, and in that setting…..for once I am lost for words!