“An exciting and profoundly moving choral concert, including a new work from Roderick Williams…

“Williams’s text is an eclectic curation drawn from various sources, all with a unifying theme of isolation and alienation. By giving each of the musical groupings a specific textual association, the composer can juxtapose the various elements of his text with clarity. This is far from being a wash of sound: it is an argument, carefully and thoughtfully articulated through the interplay of words and music.

“The result is a very complete and satisfying piece of abstract narrative, showing how music can grapple with big and significant social ideas, while also being beautiful and profoundly moving.

“This technically demanding piece was given an exceptionally fine performance. Soloists Katie Trethewey, Elena Stamp, Daniel Marles and Lawrence White were all exceptional.

“The concert also gave us another chance to hear Alec Roth’s Earthrise. This is a 2009 commission from Ex Cathedra. Earthrise is also a work with a big idea at its core – our very place in the Universe. Roth gives us vocal writing at a scale comparable to Tallis’ Spem in alium…

“Ex Cathedra delivered these glorious works – and the other works in this concert – with commitment, sensitivity, exquisite attention to detail and, where called for, a convincing wall of sound. Sopranos were particularly fearless during the Tallis. A most exceptional concert of the very highest standard, professionalism – and sheer beauty of sound.”

Read the full 5* review at www.reviewsgate.com