News
Praise for Missa Solemnis 23.10.07
“This was an occasion not to be missed” – MusicalCriticism.com
Paul McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort & Players received well earned praise for their performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at the Barbican last Thursday, 18 October.
The Times noted that “numbers on stage were modest, but the decibels were not” and overall, “clarity and colour reigned supreme”. Particular accolades went to mezzosoprano Christianne Stotijn “who sang with 110 per cent” and leader Catherine Martin’s violin solo of “exceptional, melting beauty”.
A four-star review from the Guardian praised “a sumptuous quartet of soloists in Susan Gritton, Christianne Stotijn, Werner Güra and Neal Davies”.
“The impeccable attention to detail” made this performance notable for MusicalCriticism.com. The great contrasts between musical ideas “were given the attention they deserved” with special praise to “the sheer quality of the Gabrieli Consort and Players” and their ability to react to Paul McCreesh’s direction “with obvious relish and with virtuosity to spare”.
Please follow the links to the full reviews:
MusicalCriticism.com (Hugo Shirley) – Thursday 18 October 2007
The Guardian (Erica Jeal) – Saturday 20 October 2007
The Times (Geoff Brown) – Monday 22 October 2007