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Review of Christmas concert 14/12/2003 from the Oxford Times 19/12/2003

This is a choir that seems to hide its light under a bushel. Maybe that's because it was formed not to give high-profile concerts, but to sing services in Christ Church Cathedral when the cathedral choir is away. Or maybe that light was hidden only from me - the cathedral was packed for the choir's Music for Christmas concert.

This is no B team. Has any other cathedral choir got a standby squad this good? The Singers obviously know their space very well too - the choir celebrates its 25th birthday this year - for they used the cathedral acoustics to great advantage in the opening Matins Reponsory by Palestrina, in the Echo Carol (as arranged by their director John Padley), and in Britten's Hymn to the Virgin. In each case Monteverdi-like stereo effects were added.

Another Britten setting, A boy was born, also faired particularly well, its sense of awe expressed by careful use of dynamics.

This compact, incisive choir is well balanced (albeit sounding a little undernourished in the bass department, but the current flu bug could easily be the reason), and was very responsive to the wide range of music on offer. Besides Palestrina and Britten, we heard from W. Ballet (a delightful name), Herbert Howells and William Mathias, to mention just a few.

Of course, John Rutter was included too - his Nativity carol accompanied by neatly judged, shimmery organ effects.

Speaking of organs, special mention must go to David Bednall, sub-organist of Wells Cathedral, and last-minute replacement for the unfortunately injured Clive Driskill-Smith. Mr Bednall had no chance to rehearse, but you'd never have guessed it.