Mozart Requiem

The Australian Chamber Choir is one of the best small auditioned choirs in Melbourne, and has extensive experience touring Europe to critical acclaim. This was the first time I had encountered them.

The concert opened with Palestrina’s Stabat Mater, a short, eight part a capella work, sung exquisitely. There was lots of light and shade.

Likewise in the Requiem, the musical standard was very high. However, the first part suffered from a lack of balance between singers and orchestra. At times it was very difficult to hear the singers over the orchestra. There was a short break in the middle for the orchestra to re-tune – baroque instruments are notorious for losing pitch – and on resuming the balance appeared much better. The pianissimo singing was beautiful.

The soloists, Elspeth Bawden, Elizabeth Anderson, Timothy Reynolds and Oliver Mann, also struggled with the orchestra, but were generally well balanced, and Timothy Reynolds shone.

The choir would benefit from more discipline when standing and sitting during the performance. A small thing, but one that a choir at this level should get right.

However, this is a choir that Australia can be proud of when they tread the international stage.

Graham Ford

Photographer: Emma Phillips