YOUR GUIDE TO EDINBURGH'S FESTIVALS
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ED2014 4/5 Reviews ED2014 Music Reviews
Metropolitan Cathedral Choral And Organ Vespers (St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral / Cantors Of The Holy Rude)
By Louise Rodgers | Published on Monday 11 August 2014
Even if you love this beautiful evening prayer service don’t clap it’s not a concert – but if you enjoy plainchant and polyphony then this is for you. This was well sung, dynamic plainchant in its proper context; the lead cantor shaped and shepherded the music, constantly moving it along to fulfil its function of communicating the Latin words. A second choir sang Renaissance polyphony in the organ gallery above, providing passages of contrast, bringing a little flourish of Venice to Edinburgh, and showcasing the cathedral’s own singers. The service of Vespers ended with an accomplished Duruflé organ solo. I enjoyed hearing all of this lovely music in its natural habitat, not chained up in a concert hall.
St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, 16 and 23 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Louise Rodgers]
