'La Lumiere du choeur Tenebrae' - 28.04.06

[Review: Montreux Choral Festival, Switzerland] Jean Cossetto, 24 Heures, 24th April 2006

The twenty singers of the choir Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, are more used to performing in churches and Cathedrals. So, how would this choir (who sing by the light of candles in specially commissioned candlestands) sound in the Auditorium Stravinsky? The result was remarkable.

Using all of the sound space of the auditorium the ensemble presented a diversity of sacred music. Particularly impressive were the works of Tallis, Lotti, Rachmaninov, Kedrov and Britten which, when performed with such nuance and exceptional intonation, blossomed with sonorous beauty. It was therefore no surprise when the celebrated ‘Miserere’ of Allegri achieved the sublime.

After the interval, the choir began with an extract from their recent commission by Joby Talbot which truly played to the capabilities of the hall. Other secular pieces from Elgar, Sullivan, Stanford and Pearsall were equally pleasing with their delicate colours and appropriate nuances.