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PRESS REVIEWS
"The evening began with the world premiere of Nettle &
Markham’s arrangement of the William Tell Overture, which ….. allowed
this vivid evocation of the Swiss Alps to shine through with exceptional
clarity. This was a compelling performance…… (Petite Messe Solennelle)
Both choir and soloists seized on the dramatic nature of the work with
relish, delivering their parts with style and panache. The choir
performed with their customary precision and polish; diction was clear
throughout, entries were crisp and they made a lovely sound…..”
Nicola Lisle, Oxford Times, November 2011.
At the UK premiere of The Mission Chorales (Sir George
Martin), ..”the singers and orchestra were clearly relishing both the
music and the occasion, and under Brian Kay’s decisive baton gave a
thoughtful and committed performance. Happily the composer was in the
audience to take his share of the applause.”
“ ... the Mass in C by a teenage Schubert, .. imbued with all the
melodic and rhythmic interest that are so much a feature of his later
works. The four soloists.... were uniformly excellent..”
“Vivaldi’s evergreen Gloria ... was strongly delivered.. while ‘Quoniam
tu solus sanctus’ and ‘Cum Sancto Spiritu’ formed a magnificent finale.”
Nicola Lisle The Oxford Times 28 June 2011
“The choir performed with its usual cheerful enthusiasm
under the ever-reliable baton of Brian Kay…… some sparkling renditions
of the four Coronation Anthems, performing with their usual technical
assurance and sense of commitment… the look of joy on the singers’ faces
as captivating as the quality of the sound. (Dixit Dominus) Again the
choir impressed, with some good solid singing, clear diction and crisp
entries….”
Nicola Lisle, Oxford Times 09/12/10
“The Burford Singers can always be relied upon to deliver the goods,
and Sunday’s performance was probably the best I’ve heard from them yet.
It helped that they had a particularly inspiring programme – Haydn’s
glorious Te Deum…. and Beethoven’s Mass in C, with Mozart’s Clarinet
Concerto sandwiched between…. The revelation of the evening was young
clarinettist Anna Hashimoto ….. For physical dexterity, sensible
phrasing, tonal warmth and sheer musicality this was a remarkable
performance for someone so young…. “
Oxford Times 01/07/10.
“This performance (of Rutter’s Magnificat) did full justice to
Rutter’s intentions, reflecting that spirit of “outdoor celebration”
which was, Rutter says, “somewhere in my mind as I wrote”…. Both choir
and orchestra clearly relished every note (of Fauré’s Requiem), while
soprano Mary Bevan and baritone George Humphreys contributed some
eloquent and moving solos, the soprano Pie Jesu being a particular
highlight. Once again, the Burford Singers and the Cotswold Chamber
Orchestra with conductor Brian Kay demonstrated a deep commitment that
ensured a stirring experience for all.” Nicola Lisle, Oxford Times
01/04/10.
“Always an impressive choir, this performance found them in
particularly sparkling form, their enjoyment plain to see, with careful
attention given to phrasing and articulation, and a lovely full tone
maintained throughout. Conductor Brian Kay ensured a well-paced and
well-balanced performance that was uplifting and suitably
reverential.….” Soloists: Martene Grimson, Richard Edgar-Wilson, Derek
Welton. Nicola Lisle, Oxford Times 10/12/09 re Haydn’s Creation
"There was some gloriously measured singing from the choir, who
poured their hearts and souls into the great choral numbers, filling
Burford’s ancient church with thrilling, spine-tingling sounds. As for
the soloists, there was musical wizardry at work here, with everything
they touched turning to gold…." Nicola Lisle, Oxford Times 06/08/09,
re Monteverdi Vespers Concert 28/06/09.
”This exemplary choir delivered an eloquent and polished performance
(of Handel’s Messiah), notable for its clear, perfectly rounded entries,
precise diction and carefully observed dynamics.” Oxford Times 9th
April 2009
“The annual Advent concert … under the authoritative direction of
Brian Kay, delightfully captured the seasonal spirit. The programme …
was wonderfully varied in mood, ranging from Christmas jollity to
thoughtful reflection and reverence…. As we were leaving, members of the
choir were handing out chunks of figgy pudding, ensuring that we all
went home full of seasonal cheer.” Nicola Lisle, Oxford Times
December 2008
“For their customary Easter offering, the Burford Singers turned this
year to Bach's St John Passion, imbuing this intensely dramatic work
with a real sense of purpose and commitment. Brian Kay's inspired
conducting ensured a thrilling and heartfelt performance, in which the
contrasts in mood and dynamics were meticulously observed.....”
(Soloists included Bibi Heal, Andrew Kennedy, Benedict Nelson, Catherine
Griffiths, Daniel Auchincloss and Adam Green.) Nicola Lisle, Oxford
Times, March 2008
“The Burford Singers' pre-Christmas extravaganza on Sunday was a
particularly wonderful occasion, which – although not consisting of any
Christmas music – nevertheless captured the festive spirit with some
joyful and vibrant singing.” (Soloists included Elizabeth Watts,
Catherine Hopper, Sean Clayton and William Berger.) Nicola Lisle, Oxford
Times, November 2007
“A truly magnificent performance of Handel’s Judas Maccabeus……This…….oratorio
makes great demands on its chorus, but the Burford Singers proved
themselves more than equal to the task………….Under the ever-reliable
direction of Brian Kay, they maintained a strong, resonant sound
throughout, with crisp entries and endings and crystal clear
diction……….This was a memorable performance, for the quality of the
singing from both chorus and soloists, for the skilful and well-balanced
contribution from the Cotswold Chamber Orchestra, and for the palpable
enthusiasm and commitment from all concerned.” (Soloists included
Bibi Heal, Frances Bourne, Andrew Staples, Quentin Hayes.) Nicola Lisle,
Oxford Times, November 2006
“Under the direction of broadcaster Brian Kay, this enthusiastic
group has flourished, and is surely one of the finest amateur choirs in
the county. Everything about them impressed: the quality of the sound,
the perfect diction, the close observance of dynamics, the crisp entries
and meticulous endings. This was once a good choir: now it’s an
exemplary one…..A fine crop of soloists added weight to the Charpentier
and Purcell pieces.” (Soloists included James Bowman, Matthew Venner,
Andrew Staples, Rebecca Outram, Robert Evans.) Nicola Lisle, Oxford
Times, December 2004 |