Sacred Seasons, Southern Consort of Voices, St Joseph’s Chapel, Sunday, May 5.
The early afternoon recital yesterday from Dunedin’s a cappella choir Southern Consort of Voices was entitled "Sacred Seasons" and the capacity audience in St Joseph’s Chapel enjoyed the programme of mainly Latin motets and works chosen to loosely follow the church calendar.
The 18-member group directed by Daniel Kelly began with a glorious, bright-toned rendition of Beati quorum via, by Charles Stanford.
Attention to producing contrasting dynamics is a feature of the consort and coloured the delivery of all 12 works presented.
Although there are only seven male voices in the current group, their solo passages in the 16th-century Benedictus, by Orlando di Lasso, was strong and resonant and Loquebantur variis linguis (Tallis) also highlighted exposed male sections with excellence.
Two contemporary works, Eric Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque and Ave Verum Corpus, by Swedish composer Fredrik Sixten, were challenging, with interesting but demanding dissonance and contrasts.
An eight-voice Crux fidelis, composed by John IV, King of Portugal (1604-56), also demanded extreme attention, especially the suspensions at almost every phrase ending.
Exultate Deo, based on Psalm 80 by 17th-century composer Alessandro Scarlatti, was happy and bright with lot of "alleluias".
Guest artists Heleen du Plessis (cello) and Nick Cornish (oboe) contributed an arrangement by Cornish of Sonata for 2 Cellos, by Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739).
Four short movements were skilfully performed.
There were a beautifully toned adagio, well-paced allegri and a sad contemplative minor aura for the largo.
The recital ended with an emotional performance of the popular Gabriel’s Oboe, by Ennio Morricone.
With cello and oboe prominence backed by choral harmony, this was divine.
Two members of the consort were farewelled yesterday — soprano Ellen Thomas, who is returning to England, and Claire Adams, who with her unique tenor timbre has contributed to the success of this group for 21 years.
