Reviews
Bruckner - Te DeumOxford Philomusica conducted by Marios Papadopoulos
Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, 29 November 2014
The Philharmonia Chorus were on fine form, their separate choral lines clearly etched in the more contrapuntal passages, and the ringing sonority of the upper voices in the bolder homophonic passages matching the blazing ranks of the brass instruments. Almost needless to say, the sopranos' reaching up to the top C of the final climax was the magnificent apex of a fine performance.
Curtis Rodgers, www.seenandheardinternational.com
Mahler - Symphony No.2 'Resurrection'Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding
BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London, 29 August 2014
The combined Swedish Radio Choir and Philharmonia Chorus was as responsive to the drama of the work as the orchestra. Its first entry was marked with a solemn, sepulchral hush, but still with wonderfully focussed tone quality.
Curtis Rogers, www.classicalsource.co.uk
The Swedish Radio Choir and Philharmonia Chorus were superbly focused, especially in their almost inaudible hushed singing.
Hilary Finch, The Times
The choral singing – from the combined forces of the Swedish Radio Choir and Philharmonia Chorus – was glorious in its warmth and fervour.
Tim Ashley, Guardian
The hushed voices of the Swedish Radio Choir and the Philharmonia Chorus were so well blended that their impact was enhanced: an image of vast panoramas and repose...
Anne Ozorio, http://www.operatoday.com
...the Swedish Radio Choir and Philharmonia Chorus were on fine form; one could have taken dictation from them.
Mark Berry, http://seenandheard-international.com
....the combined forces of the Swedish Radio Choir and the Philharmonia Chorus produced a magical sound, the rich timbre matched with impressively tight control for such a large vocal ensemble.
Jack Johnson, http://bachtrack.com
Verdi - Messa da RequiemOrquesta da Valencia conducted by Yaron Traub
Sala Iturbi, Palau de la Música, Valencia, 13 June 2014
The value of such a choir is unquestionable. Many fine choirs have sung at the Palau, but few like this one. The impact made by the interweaving of the one hundred plus voices in the Sanctus, for example – a combination of power and agility – was immediately exceeded by the lesson in clarity and purposefulness of phrasing in the Agnus Dei.
Alfredo Brotons, Levante - El Mercantil Valenciano
Brahms - Ein deutsches Requiem Hamburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jeffrey Tate
Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, 22 and 23 March 2014
Brilliant Brahms...the 120 singers from London sang with such dedication that even the notorious 'Zischlaute' of the German language rang out with musical brightness
The brilliantly prepared chorus under Stefan Bevier carries the burden of the work. It was as if the members of the Philharmonia Chorus wanted to present their President, Jeffrey Tate, with a gift of joy with their resounding presence and vocal accuracy throughout. Even at full volume they never compromised the dignity of the work and had an impressive range of dynamics at their disposal.
Hamburger Abendblatt, 24 March 2014
Brahms - Ein deutsches Requiem
Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Andris Nelsons
Royal Festival Hall, London, 23 February 2014
...many expressive nuances masterfully elicited from the Philharmonia Chorus.
Curtis Rogers, www.classicalsource.com
...the Philharmonia Chorus sang out with full-bodied resonance.
Jim Pritchard, www.seenandheard-international.com
Poulenc - Gloria
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit
Royal Festival Hall, London, 12 February 2014
...and the Philharmonia Chorus, powerfully communicative, vibrant, and very together, continued its renaissance under the preparatory guidance of the estimable Stefan Bevier.
Colin Anderson, www.classicalsource.com