The Sydney Chamber Choir, under the direction of Sam Allchurch, delivered an exceptional performance at Christ Church St Lawrence on Sunday, 28 September. Allchurch, who has been the Artistic Director of the Sydney Chamber Choir since 2019 and also serves as the Director of Music at Christ Church St Lawrence, crafted a program with the title Heirs and Rebels, which explored the depth and diversity of the English choral tradition while also interweaving contemporary compositions and innovative interpretations. The historic venue, known for its superb acoustics and rich liturgical music tradition, provided an inspiring backdrop for this thoughtful and beautifully curated program.
The inclusion of actor John Gaden as narrator added another dimension, with his readings complementing the choral works.
The concert opened with Gerald Finzi’s My Spirit Sang All Day, a lyrical setting of Robert Bridges’ pastoral poem that exemplifies the English choral tradition. Its bright melodies and expressive intimacy set the tone for an evening where themes of light and dark, soul and body and life and death intertwined in music created for voice.
Judith Weir’s Love Bade Me Welcome, drawing on George Herbert’s sacred poetry, offered a more modern yet contemplative take on divine love. Weir’s minimalist approach, paired with contemporary harmonic structures, captured the delicate interplay between human hesitation and divine acceptance.The choir’s commitment to supporting Australian composers was reflected in the performance of Harry Sdraulig’s Evening Star, a new work that evoked a sense of cosmic grandeur and stillness, drawing from Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry.
The program also featured Herbert Howells’ Salve Regina, a Marian prayer steeped in the Catholic liturgical tradition. Its devotional tone and focus on the transition from suffering to salvation were powerful, while Thomas Tallis’ Renaissance polyphony in Why Fum’th in Sight brought an ancient yet timeless appeal.
The concert concluded with iconic works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, and Charles Stanford, all of whom revitalized ancient texts with innovative treatments of harmony and melody. The performance of John Tavener’s The Lamb and Song for Athene provided a haunting and emotional climax.
For those who missed this inspiring concert, it is available for streaming on the Australian Digital Concert Hall.
This concert was attended on 29th September 2024
