Reviews: Sydney Chamber Choir's Dixit Dominus Performance
Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Chamber Choir concert: class of 1707's rising stars stand out centuries later
Peter McCallum | May 31, 2016
In retrospect, 1707 was an astonishing year in the history of western music. Yet, only the most astute and well-travelled observer of the time would have noticed that a 22-year-old organist in Arnstadt called Johann Sebastian Bach, and another German of the same age studying in Rome called George Frideric√ Handel were writing music of such consummate mastery and originality that musical thought would never be the same.
Limelight Magazine
Review: Dixit Dominus (Sydney Chamber Choir)
Clive Paget | May 30, 2016
Jonathan Grieves-Smith is a man adept at dualities it would appear. Not only is the British conductor about to become an Australian citizen, he’s repeatedly proved an outstanding interpreter of music from both the 18th century and our own. This concert with the combined forces of Sydney Chamber Choir and Orchestra of the Antipodes was a perfect example of his ability to span the ages with major works by Bach and Handel set in illuminating contrast against an invocation by Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks and an intriguing new commission from the versatile Iain Grandage.
Sounds Like Sydney
Concert Review: Dixit Dominus / Sydney Chamber Choir
Shamistha de Soysa | May 28, 2016
The two giants of the Baroque faced off against each other, straddling two smaller contemporary works, when the Sydney Chamber Choir performed with guest conductor, Jonathan Grieves-Smith and the Orchestra of the Antipodes, led by Matt Bruce. It was an assemblage of some of Sydney’s finest choral and Baroque stringed-instrumental talent.
Sydney Arts Guide
Sydney Chamber Choir Presents Dixit Dominus at City Recital Hall
Paul Nolan | May 30, 2016
The title of this concert suggests we are to be entertained by the talents of the Sydney Chamber Choir with historical works based on religious texts from the Christian tradition.
That was very much the case as guest conductor Jonathan Grieves-Smith guided the choir and string players from the Orchestra of the Antipodes through interpretations of Handel and Bach. These performances were both sensitive and strong.
Daily Telegraph
Sydney Chamber Choir mix up Baroque blockbusters with two new works
Steve Moffatt | May 30, 2016
EARLY works by two giants of the Baroque book-ending a brace of new pieces — one of them a world premiere — made up the program when celebrated choral conductor Jonathan Grieves-Smith took the rostrum for Sydney Chamber Choir’s latest concert.
