by Timothy Robson

We can say from the outset that no finer choral singing will be heard in Cleveland this season than that of the British choir Tenebrae, who performed at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Wednesday, November 7. Tenebrae’s precision, dynamic range, unanimity of sound and musicality were nothing short of astonishing. The sixteen-member mixed choir was conducted by its founder, Nigel Short.

Tenebrae added elements of theatricality into its performance. Many of the lights in the cathedral’s nave were dimmed, lending a mysterious and contemplative atmosphere. “Come, let us worship God, our King,” the first movement from Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers (known also as the All Night Vigil) opened the concert and was sung in Russian from the rear of the nave. The group has the very low bass singers required for effective performance of the Russian choral repertoire [Read more…]