Reviews of 2008 Performances
Saturday 22 November 2008: Concert Review: Bach's Christmas Oratorio
Joyous prelude to Christmas
For its pre-Christmas concert in the Town Hall on Saturday, the City of Dunedin Choir chose J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio - six cantatas written in 1734 for different Christmastide services. It proved an excellent choice, bringing out the best in all those involved.
... meeting Bach's demands is not easy, for he requires virtuoso technique and stamina from both instruments and voices.
The four principal soloists here, however, formed a strong team, impressive in solos and ensembles alike: Nicola Edgecombe a brightly-shining soprano, Kate Spence a warmtoned alto, John Murray a clear and confident tenor, and Chris Bruerton a sensitive and wellmodulated bass. The choir sang with accuracy and assurance throughout, both in the dancelike choruses and in the more reflective chorales, the outnumbered tenors on the whole coping manfully with their soaring lines, the sopranos excelling in their two chorales with bass soloist, and one, Catherine Daly, beautifully echoing the soloist in one item.
Overseeing and masterfully uniting these forces was David Burchell, who doubled as harpsichordist and conductor. He should feel proud of his achievement...
(Extract from the review by Donald Cullington in the Otago Daily Times of 24 November 2008.)
Saturday 9 August 2008: Concert Review: Orff's Carmina Burana
Performances give large audience plenty to relish
"Carl Orff's robust cantata Carmina Burana filled the second half of the programme with big sound and pace. This 1937 work has ancient lyrical text, outrageously pagan and sensual in content, with many declamatory passages demanding spirited delivery from all. On Saturday over 200 performers triumphed with vigour and energy. A particularly zealous men's chorus (the strongest in this choir for some time) maintained pace and drive throughout - perhaps the meaningful text appealed? Other sections caught the atmosphere and the work never flagged.
Jared Holt, one of this country's best young singers, displayed great versatility, slipping effortlessly from his lyrical baritone to stunning upper register tenor resonance, plus falsetto and counter-tenor quality as required for Dies nox et omnia. Wellington soprano Barbara Graham (2008 Dame Malvina Major emerging artist) will go far with her elegant delivery, purity of tone and intonation. Her Amor volat undique balanced perfectly with the children, who phrased and enunciated clearly, directed by David Burchell, Anthony Richie and Holly Mathieson. International tenor New Zealander John Murray was also in excellent voice."
(Extract from the review by Elizabeth Bouman in the Otago Daily Times of 11 August 2008.)
Saturday 31 May 2008: Concert Review: Schubert's Mass in A Flat
Accolades for orchestra, choir
"Despite the holiday weekend and sport on TV, an extremely good-sized audience attended the town hall on Saturday evening to hear the Dunedin Youth Orchestra and the City of Dunedin Choir, conducted by David Burchell.
It was a great performance and accolades flowed, particularly for the DYO... The length and difficulty of the programme was a huge ask for these young players, who achieved an extremely commendable standard overall.
The choir, of well over 130 singers, was in good form, delivering a beautiful interpretation, despite there appearing to be insufficient male voices for a satisfactory blend. High register soprano clarity and intonation were particularly commendable.
Soloists... Lois Johnson.. Claire Barton... Andrew Grenon... Chris Bruerton... their frequent harmonic passages were perfectly balanced, refreshingly light and appealing."
(Extract from the review by Elizabeth Bouman in the Otago Daily Times of 1 June 2008.)