Event was a great start to festivities

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

Shrewsbury Chronicle - 20 December 2007

Shropshire Music Trust has highlighted the Christmas season for many years with a concert of Christmas music and readings given by the Ex Cathedra ensemble under the director Jeffrey Skidmore.

This year’s offering attracted an even bigger audience in St Chad’s Church last week with many people viewing this concert as a very good start to the festivities!

The format of Christmas songs and carols interspersed with readings from various sources – some rather arcane – lit only by the flickering candles in the choir was enhanced by the full use of the circular construction of the church. There was an interesting acoustic contrast between the singing immediately under the central dome and those songs sung from the overshadowed entrance porch and it is this attention to detail that makes it such a pleasure to listen to Ex Cathedra.

Immense

An immense variety of songs ranging from the traditional The Holly and the Ivy and Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day through to John Rutter’s well-known There is a Flower to several works by lesser known late twentieth century composers showed this ensemble at their versatile best.

What is never at fault in this group in the attention to word production as well as the nigh-perfect pitching of the notes together with a huge variety of dynamic and tone, regardless of whether a particular song appeals or not.

The sheer conviction with which they produce and resolve discords is admirable and the odd glitch in timing can be overlooked in the face of such overwhelming quality.

The next Trust concert is on January 30 in the Music Hall with the Chinese UK Ensemble.

Richard Duncan

Last Updated : 30/12/2007