“the very essence of Christmas” – Culture Bab review of Christmas Music by Candlelight
“Every city has its Christmas traditions and in Birmingham we love nothing more than settling down in the atmospheric setting of St Paul’s in the Jewellery Quarter for Christmas Music by Candlelight.
“For a couple of hours on a winter evening, Ex Cathedra choirs treat the audience to a mix of traditional and modern music, song and readings.
“This year features well-known carols such as Away in a Manger, In the Bleak Midwinter and the Sussex Carol alongside John Joubert’s Torches and a special arrangement of Ding Dong Merrily on High. Ex Cathedra’s composer-in-residence Alec Roth is featured with Love is Come Again and Child of Man, there are recent works by Liz Dilnot Johnson, Lighten our Darkness and Generous Winter, and a piece by Christopher Churcher, Evening Star…
“In the darkness of the church, with performers lit by candlelight, the evening is the very essence of Christmas. Conducted by Ex Cathedra director Jeffrey Skidmore, the choir sound perfectly at ease with even the most complex of harmonies.
“And it is all wrapped up with a bit of audience participation as we all join in a rendition of the carol See Amid the Winter’s Snow.”
Read the rest of the Culture Bab review here.
“Simply remarkable” 5* review of Messiah
“From a choral and orchestral perspective this was an astonishingly complete reading… The choir were outstanding, producing a sound that was powerful and remarkably rich, but never dark or muddy… The result was exciting…
“The most striking achievement of the performance, however, was conductor Jeffrey Skidmore’s flawless management of the choruses. I have never heard them delivered with such an intelligent use of dynamics and phrasing to bring out the important details. Lines of interest, melodic conversations, and the way the counterpoint is passed around between the voices all shone out, as through illuminated with a travelling spotlight. The result of that is that Handel’s magnificent choral structures became crystal clear.
“Choir and orchestra responded attentively and precisely to his direction with unfailing magnificent results. Maestro Skidmore built tension and dramatic momentum through the whole, so that the final chorus and Amen were at once monumentally climactic, and profoundly cathartic. Simply remarkable.”
Read the rest of the 5* review at reviewsgate.co.uk
“Concerts given by Ex Cathedra are never just concerts” **** Bachtrack review
“Concerts given by Ex Cathedra are never just concerts. One of the most compelling aspects of their performances – aside from the actual singing – is the way they apply scholarship and historical understanding to the presentation of the music…
“To enhance the performance, conductor Jeffrey Skidmore had created a sequence of seven “Bell Preludes” … redolent of, and at times directly invoking, religious chant, from the outset these preludes established a heightened atmosphere … an entirely fitting context…”
“Blagoslovi dushe moya was articulated with a hushed tone of reverence – mezzo Martha McLorinan skilfully managing to project while also maintaining this attitude – culminating in a beautifully polarised music, the upper voices suggesting elation, the lower profundity. Blazhen muzh was kept simple, allowing its scale patterns to lilt, while Nyne otpushchayeshi (Blessed in the Man), featuring tenor Peter Davoren, created the impression of a softly shining brightness … wrapped in an atmosphere of deep peace…”
“… perhaps the most remarkable thing about Ex Cathedra’s performance: their incredible intonation and tuning, soaring to great heights and plunging into abyssal depths yet staying true, never wavering. The choir’s intricate shaping of the music continued to the last, Vzbrannoy voyevode passing through blazing fire before finally receding into a quiet, radiant joy.”
Read the full www.bachtrack.com review
Do join us in Hereford Cathedral (10 Feb 2024), St Martin-in-the-Fields (27 Feb 2024) and at Sherborne Abbey Festival (4 May 2024 – not yet available to book). Full details and booking for Hereford and London on our concert diary page.
Vacancy – Senior Academy of Vocal Music conductor
We are looking for a collaborative and inspiring choral music leader for our SATB young persons group – someone who has a proven track record of employing the best teaching and learning practices to facilitate the best environment for C&YP in achieving the highest music-making and choral performance standards together with a direct positive impact on their wellbeing.
Arts, culture & creativity in Birmingham: a collective statement
On September 5th, Birmingham City Council issued a section 114 notice, signifying that the council’s forecast income is insufficient to meet its projected expenditure for the next year. This has spurred speculation about the Financial Recovery Plan and its potential impact on the cultural sector. Following conversations with cultural professionals and organisations around the City, and considering messaging from the council, Culture Central – of which Ex Cathedra is a founder member – has developed a collective statement to organisations, workforce, communities, stakeholders and supporters.
Birmingham and the West Midlands can be proud of its rich, vibrant and resilient arts and culture sector. We, the organisations and individuals that create and present this offer, are continuing to welcome audiences, work with communities, and support artists in Birmingham, the West Midlands, the UK and internationally.
The arts and cultural sector in Birmingham has proven its stability. In 2010, Birmingham City Council’s arts investment stood at £9.7 million, it is currently £2.9 million a year; in the same timeframe the council’s museums grant has decreased by a third. Since 2010 we have worked hard to secure additional investment and to employ innovative business models. This is in partnership with Birmingham City Council and others including Arts Council England, the West Midlands Combined Authority, trusts, foundations, national lottery funders, higher education institutions and the private sector.
Birmingham City Council’s continued support and relationship with the complex ecology of organisations, artists and cultural assets in Birmingham is invaluable, and crucial to the region’s future growth. We look forward to working with Birmingham City Council, incoming commissioners, and wider stakeholders to ensure that the venues, artists, communities, major events and festivals of Birmingham continue to contribute to the vibrant cultural and economic life of the city and region.
Ex Cathedra, Culture Central, its members and affiliates