Let’s not split hairs over a wobbly fugue, this was jaw-dropping stuff from Sam Hudson, the Philharmonia and the Three Choirs Festival Chorus
There are some concerts you go to where you end up wondering how to go about describing what you’ve just heard. Then there are others where you worry about not coming across too strong. The former is difficult, the latter all too easy. Sometimes you’ve just got to settle: if something swept you off your feet it’s probably best to come clean. Sometimes good things are just good.
The chorus was fierce. Precise. Tender. Sonorous. Responsive. Committed. And dedicated to care. Soloists Charlotte Bowden, Olivia May, Mark Padmore, and John Savournin were sophisticated, articulate, and elegant but ultimately eclipsed by the swathes of unpaid professionals behind them.
Rarely has a performance so immediately swept me off my feet. Sure, there was a wobbly fugue which we almost didn’t notice. But, without any shadow of a doubt this was one of those performances that connected so immediately and so consistently, that those with pens in their hand and a notebook on their laps strode home with a big smile on their faces.
Rubbra’s Sinfonia da camera was an invigorating discovery, and Cecilia McDowall was this evening as yesterday, reliably compelling too. But the Beethoven. That was the cheese.
