“Fireside” Reviews, June 2024
Reviews
Limelight
Fireside (Sydney Chamber Choir)
Sydney Chamber Choir banishes the winter chill in this jazzily convivial showcase of its versatility
Shamistha de Soysa | 4 stars | 1 July, 2024
“…The trio plays The Way You Look Tonight as the 25 choristers meander in. They pull out all their party tricks in this concert, showcasing their versatility in style and language. Their sound is balanced and their pitch through unaccompanied complex harmonies and changes in tonality is secure. Rhythmically taut, they perform with excellent ensemble skills and elegant phrasing coloured from a full-blooded forte to the quietest of pianissimos.”
classikON
Sydney Chamber Choir’s ‘Fireside’ promised something special… and delivered
Pepe Newton | 30 June 2024
“…Last but one was Hans Lang’s highly anticipated hit It’s Oh So Quiet!, popularised by Icelandic pop star Björk, I must say this was a standout success for this fan. The choir embraced the silliness and wit of Björk and Spike Jonzes’ whimiscal 1995 music video with enthusiasm and they pulled it off with aplomb, accompanied ably by the Kevin Hunt Trio. Zing boom!”
What’s On Sydney
Fireside Review
Faith Jessel | 1 July 2024
“…What then unfolded was a truly breathtaking and immersive encounter, as this world-class chamber choir presented a stunning collection of splendidly sung musical gems. Each piece was a tour de force, expertly crafted and executed with precision and passion. From the soaring highs to the lush lows, every note was sung with exquisite skill and expertise. It was a moving experience. Equally powerful, personal and intimate.
One of the most striking aspects of this chamber choir's performance was its ability to seamlessly shift between moments of tender intimacy, whimsical nuances and soaring grandeur. It was an evening that encompassed a wide range of tastes with a fabulous Nordic flavour. Each and every piece was a standout…”
Sydney Arts Guide
Sydney Chamber Choir: Fireside @ The Neilson, ACO Pier 2/3
Paul Nolan | 5 stars | 1 July 2024
“This more relaxed and cosy format for the Fireside concert shared a huge range of musical styles and languages. It showed us not only the diverse range of this choir but also that music from different backgrounds when sung and directed with expert attention to detail, can communicate brilliantly side by side in the same endearing, effective concert.”
Artists
Sydney Chamber Choir
Sam Allchurch
Conductor
Naomi Crellin
Conductor
Jazz trio
Kevin Hunt, Piano
Karl Dunnicliff, Double bass
Dave Goodman, Drums
Program
Waldemar Åhlén/Carl David af Wirsén
Sommarpsalm (Summer Hymn)
JS Bach, arr. Swingle
Prelude No 9 in E from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II
René Clausen
Tonight Eternity Alone
Ēriks Ešenvalds
Only in Sleep
Edvard Grieg
Ave maris stella
Hans Lang/Bert Reisfeld, arr. Björk and Crellin
It’s Oh So Quiet
John Lennon/Paul McCartney, arr. Crellin
Norwegian Wood
Louiguy/Edith Piaf, arr. Crellin
La Vie en rose
Mia Makaroff
Butterfly
Mitä kaikattat tivonen? (Why are you complaining, little stone?)
Ruth Moody arr. Crossin
One Voice
Heather Percy
Hymn to the Evening
Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson/Kolbeinn Tumason
Heyr himnur smiður (Hear, Heavenly Creator)
