LEICESTER MERCURY
22/03/04
JOHN RUTTER AND THE LEICESTER PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER, 20/03/04
By NEIL CRUTCHLEY
Tuneful set was so well crafted.
WHEN it comes to tuneful, well-crafted choral music John Rutter’s works take a lot of beating.
Who better to conduct than Rutter himself? The Philharmonic Choir, which is singing so well these days, responded to his graphic direction with infectious enthusiasm and style.
Parry’s spectacularly ceremonial coronation anthem, I Was Glad, made a powerful opener and later, the same composer’s superb motet, Blest Pair of Sirens, was given an urgent and heartfelt performance.
Malcolm Williamson’s Procession of Palms is melodically and rhythmically memorable. It was splendidly performed. Feel the Spirit, Rutter’s cycle of seven spirituals featured the glorious mezzo-soprano Ruth Peel and wonderfully committed performances from the Phil and the Orchestra da Camera.
John Rutter and The Phil 20 March 2004
