Simply a quality season opener

Shropshire Music Trust - Ex Cathedra, St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury

Shropshire Star - 07 December 2007

A concert of carols, seasonal songs and readings by candlelight was the Shropshire Music Trust's opening of the Christmas season with the Ex Cathedra Singers, under Jeffrey Skidmore.
This event has become a tradition and with a capacity audience the atmosphere was hushed and expectant.

After an initial reading from DH Lawrence, Sydney Carter's Every Star Shall Sing a Carol acted as a processional using the all-around space as well as the candlelight. Much could be said of each item, interspersed with readings which were interesting, if a little obscure at times.

Outstanding in the first half was I Thank You God for This Amazing Day by Eric Whitacre with its fascinating creation of a delicate web of musical tracery in the high voices.

There were also lovely renditions of Rutter's There is a Flower and Cotterill's Cantate Domino. In the second half John Joubert's Joy in the Morning was a delight while in Malcolm Hayes's Mirabile Misterium the remarkable bass section reached bottom D and maintained perfect diction.

It is the attention to word production as well as the nigh-perfect pitching of the notes together with a huge variety of dynamic and tone that makes this ensemble so good to listen to. The odd glitch in timing can be overlooked in the face of such overwhelming quality.

Richard Duncan

Last Updated : 13/12/2007