Matthew Coleridge: Requiem – Review by RSCM (Church Music Quarterly)
“Fine, committed performances throughout, with impeccable pitch, blend and diction"
14th October 2023
Matthew Coleridge: Requiem – Review by RSCM (Church Music Quarterly)
“Fine, committed performances throughout, with impeccable pitch, blend and diction"
14th October 2023

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The forces of the Choir of Royal Holloway and Southern Sinfonia present this excellent retrospective of music by Matthew Coleridge. The first part of the disc is taken up with his Requiem. The opening Introit is beautifully paced, allowing the harmonic clashes time to resonate. The intensity and urgency of the Kyrie is a sudden change of mood, and the forces respond well to Coleridge’s demands and Rupert Gough’s expert direction. The closing Lacrimosa movement ends this hauntingly beautiful piece with a moment of serene stillness.
Cellist Maxim Calver and soprano Karin Dahlberg make wonderful contributions, not only here but notably in And I saw a new heaven, one of the other seven tracks that follow the Requiem. The choir give fine, committed performances throughout, with impeccable pitch, blend and diction. In particular, My beloved spake receives an absolutely stunning account. And there was light, Abendlied and a setting of the Stabat Mater dolorosa are included, before a spirited Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis brings the disc to an exciting, indeed spectacular, conclusion.
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The forces of the Choir of Royal Holloway and Southern Sinfonia present this excellent retrospective of music by Matthew Coleridge. The first part of the disc is taken up with his Requiem. The opening Introit is beautifully paced, allowing the harmonic clashes time to resonate. The intensity and urgency of the Kyrie is a sudden change of mood, and the forces respond well to Coleridge’s demands and Rupert Gough’s expert direction. The closing Lacrimosa movement ends this hauntingly beautiful piece with a moment of serene stillness.
Cellist Maxim Calver and soprano Karin Dahlberg make wonderful contributions, not only here but notably in And I saw a new heaven, one of the other seven tracks that follow the Requiem. The choir give fine, committed performances throughout, with impeccable pitch, blend and diction. In particular, My beloved spake receives an absolutely stunning account. And there was light, Abendlied and a setting of the Stabat Mater dolorosa are included, before a spirited Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis brings the disc to an exciting, indeed spectacular, conclusion.
Review written by:
Review published in:
Other reviews by this author:
No other reviews found