3 June 2010

THE SIXTEEN CONDUCTED BY HARRY CHRISTOPHERS

St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury


A gentle tap of heels accompanied by sublime voices announced the processional entry of The Sixteen into St. Chad's Church for their concert, the last of this season's fine programme organised by the Shropshire Music Trust.

Under the inspired direction of Harry Christophers, The Sixteen came to Shrewsbury tonight on their Choral Pilgrimage: 'Ceremony and Devotion - Music for the Tudors' From the sixteenth century we have inherited a wonderful treasury of sacred music which was the source for this programme. Besides the opening plainchant, the three composers represented were Byrd, Tallis and Sheppard. All wrote music which is an amalgam of profound spirituality and the most sensuous music.

Whether singing the praises of the Lord as in Byrd's "Laudibus in sanctis", or the more meditative "Jesus, Saviour of the world" by Tallis we were treated to singing of the very highest quality. The whole programme was unaccompanied although there were times when the basses could be taken for the resonance of an organ. The acoustics of St. Chad's played a vital part in the success of this event; often it seemed that we were in the space of one of the great mediaeval cathedrals, as wave upon wave of this inspired music rolled around the entire building.

Perhaps the closing item, "Infelix ego" by Byrd was the high point of the programme. The supplicatory nature of the text - "Whither should I go? Where shall I turn?" finds its answer in the composer's faith in the mercy of God. The sound of The Sixteen defied comment - it was sublime.

The Music Trust deserve credit for a superb season of concerts and the advance publicity for the next series looks equally impressive.

Andrew Petch