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Concert reviews

Interactive concert-going at its most revelatory

Perfect tuning, perfect German... Layton drew a concentrated intensity from his singers. The Times, June 2004 reviewing the concert Tallis: Spem in Alium and other motets Read more>>

Sublime echoes through a soaring space

It was a programme of vaulting ambition from the Holst Singers... a rare instance of sublime music-making opening the door to a profundity that was more than musical. The Daily Telegraph, March 2004 reviewing the concert Schnittke's Requiem Read more>>

Long night's journey into elation

A performance of heart-stopping passion from the Holst Singers. I emerged, dazed and elated. The Daily Telegraph, July 2003 reviewing the concert The Veil of the Temple (world première) Read more>>

John Tavener's magnum opus

a colossal, almost tangible mass of sound... The Independent, July 2003 reviewing the concert The Veil of the Temple (world première) Read more>>

Worth staying up for

Words alone seemed incapable of communicating how I felt and the effect it had on me. The Church Times, July 2003 reviewing the concert The Veil of the Temple (world première) Read more>>

Tavener's musical pilgrimage

Tavener's musical pilgrimage had run for seven hours, yet from first to last it was mesmerising. The Times, June 2003 reviewing the concert The Veil of the Temple (world première) Read more>>

All-night journey traverses the soul

This is English choral singing at its best. Los Angeles Times, June 2003 reviewing the concert The Veil of the Temple (world première) Read more>>

Sir John Tavener on BBC Radio 4

The piece is not exclusively Christian... it starts in the Islamic world, and it ends in the world of the Hindus. Sir John Tavener, Front Row (BBC Radio 4), June 2003 reviewing the concert The Veil of the Temple (world première) Read more>>

Passions both ancient and modern

The Hilliard-and-Holst performance was cool and near-faultless. Financial Times, April 2001 reviewing the concert Pärt: Passio Read more>>

Holst Singers and Hilliard Ensemble

The Holst Singers [were] absolutely focused in attack, phrasing and intonation in this demanding music. The Times, April 2001 reviewing the concert Pärt: Passio Read more>>