Luminescence Chamber
Singers & Children’s Choir
All Saints Anglican Church,
Ainslie 14 December
Reviewed by Len Power
A concert with either the Luminescence Chamber singers or
the Luminescence Children’s Choir is always an event but to attend a concert
performed by both groups is something quite special. Add the atmosphere of the beautiful All
Saints Anglican Church at Ainslie and you have an evening to remember.
Based in Canberra, the Luminescence Chamber Singers have
been active since 2013. They perform a
wide range of repertoire from the Renaissance to the 21st
century. Led by musical director, Dan
Walker, the eight singers all have impressive individual qualifications and
performing credits.
The Luminescence Children’s Choir has been singing since
2016. Conducted by their founder, AJ
America, the choir has performed at various national institutions around
Canberra and has toured to other capital cities for various festivals.
In this Christmas concert, the choirs performed a wide-ranging
program from across the centuries including works by European composers from
the 17th century up to the present day as well as songs by
contemporary Australian composers.
The concert commenced with the Chamber Singers giving a fine
performance unaccompanied of Zoltan Kodály’s “Adventi Ének” (Advent Song). This was followed by the Children’s Choir
singing two songs from John Rutter’s “Dancing Day” song cycle, accompanied on
piano by Veronica Milroy. Both choirs
impressed with very clear and confident harmony singing.
All of the songs in the concert were performed very well but
there were some that were particularly outstanding.
The children’s choir gave a heart-felt performance of Australian
Ben Van Tienen’s lovely “Just One Star”, accompanied by a fine performance on
the cello by Emma Rayner. The John
Howell arrangement of the Basque song, “The Angel Gabriel” was also
impressively sung by them with an especially fine piano accompaniment by
Veronica Milroy. Their final song, “Deo
Gracias”, from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony Of Carols” was given a rousing,
dramatic performance that deservedly received strong applause from the audience.
The chamber choir also impressed with Australian Joseph
Twist’s challenging and dramatic “Jubilate Deo”. It was sung technically very well and with
obvious enjoyment. Another highlight by
the chamber singers was their powerful, clear performance of “This Day Christ
Was Born” composed in 1611 by William Byrd.
The concert finished with a stunningly beautiful performance
by the chamber singers of the well-known carol, “We Wish You A Merry
Christmas”.
If you were in the audience for this concert then you’ve
already received your best Christmas present for this year.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 15 December 2019
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
