The atmosphere was as if we were transported to Europe and whisked to a huge Tudor mansion. At others it was as if we were in a huge cathedral.
With the magnificent Brandenburg choir and stunning guest soloist delightful soprano Madison Nonoa from New Zealand, this was a terrific concert.
Established by Paul Dyer in 1999, the choir wows audiences performing both familiar Christmas favourites and rarely heard sacred works, ranging from the eleventh century through to the Baroque. The program began with the choir filing in to a crisp, sprightly Wachet Auf! ( Wake up ) by Philipp Nicolai in a new version by Michael Praetorius.
Sonato 9 ( anon ) was next , rather boisterous and dance-like with Paul Dyer enthusiastically leading on keyboard.
Nonoa entered in a beautiful red dress and led a piercingly beautiful version of Once in Royal David’s City, accompanied by an organist and choir.
The bright, crisp Allegro from Vivaldi’s Concerto for two trumpets in C Major RV537 was next and this piece was given a joyous, breathless presentation.
Nonoa was in sensational form leading the soaring, angelic Vavilov Ave Maria.
Much fun was had in the next segment, a witty horn and trombone dominated version of O Little Town of Bethlehem.
Then came a mesmerising, otherworldly performance of The Spheresfrom Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass that was incredibly riveting, shimmering and powerful.
The Coventry Carol that followed, with Nonoa in an elegant black and gold gown, was given a rich and reflective interpretation, and the choir was tremendous.
A rich yet delicate and thoughtful renditioj of Con que la lavare, a piece written by Luys de Narvaez, followed, and this was performed by the full ensemble.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was next in a strikingly unusual, very light version that featured strident horns and shimmering strings interacting with a very busy percussion section in a version that had piquant timing and phrasing.
Soft, luscious, creamy strings led the dance like Ciaccona a 7 in C Majorby Rittler, which also featured horns and tambourine, with Dyer playing the harpsichord at first but he then swapped with Heidi Jones on the chamber organ.
This was one of those pieces which started off slowly but then had more and more pieces join in and then eventually fade away.
O Salutaris Hosia ( Esenvalds) with the organ and the interweaving voices of the choir was fragile, shimmering and soaring. The two soprano soloists were simply angelic.
An exuberant, boisterous version of Hark! The Herald Angels Singfollowed. For this the trombones came in for the last verse but they felt a little hesitant and were rather drowned out by the choir organ and strings.
Ben Fold’s The Luckiest was performed a cappella with the choir standing in line at the front of the stage. The voices blended magnificently.
Adolphe Adam’s ( yes he who composed the ballet Giselle ) Cantique de Noel, more commonly known as O Holy Night) was led by Nonoa in a beautiful long white sleeveless gown. She was radiant and the atmosphere was one of wonder.
An extremely moving version of Amazing Grace followed the choir going full pelt.
An exquisite version of Silent Night came next, sung first in German by Nonoa then in English with the choir.
To conclude the concert there was at first a hushed, reverent start toO Come All Ye Faithful which then stirringly exploded as Nonoa and the choir went all out.
At the close Dyer had much fun leading the audience in a sing – a- long version which completed the concert with much tumultuous applause.
Running time 75 minutes without interval.
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s concert Noel!Noel! was performed at the City Recital Hall on the 14th December and goes on tour until the 20th December.
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