‘International standard’

IVE Music at the University of Huddersfield’, despite its cumbersome title, is a magnificent season by students and distinguished professionals.

These concerts, along with Huddersfield Music Society’s recitals given in association with the university, are increasingly important at a time when the Kirklees Orchestral Seasons at Huddersfield and Dewsbury Town Halls are declining under the Government’s onslaught on public funding.

There were three concerts on one day at the university last week.

Nonets for wind and strings by Martinu and Spohr were given at St Paul’s Hall at lunchtime by Ensemble 360, who have revitalised music in Sheffield and South Yorkshire in recent years. Event: Venue: By: Rating:

Orion Chamber Choir gave works by seven English composers from 16th century Byrd to 20th century Finzi at Heritage Quay.

In the evening at St Paul’s the University Chamber Choir gave music inspired by the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s break with Rome and the launch of the Reformation.

The Chamber Choir were supported by ensembles from within the university – the excellent student Early Music Ensemble, staffer John Scott Whiteley who is also York Minster’s Organist Emeritus, the Four’s Company group of staffers Amanda Babington (violin/ recorder), David Milsom (violin), Graham Cummings (organ/ harpsichord) and John Bryan (bass viol).

Bryan was also director, brilliant conductor and witty compère. He regularly tours Europe and America as a member of the Rose Consort of Viols, is artistic adviser to the York Early Music Festival and a leading early music researcher. We are lucky to have him in Huddersfield.

The programme was based on the chorales that Martin Luther introduced into church services for congregational singing.

He wrote many himself, inspired other 16th-century composers to follow suit and influenced the course of music over five centuries.

The evening belonged to the Chamber Choir.

Under John Bryan’s direction they achieved a seriously good international standard.

They have sonority but with a bright, hard surface to their tone which unlocks nimbleness, flexibility and a variety of colours. Every phrase and every note is unwavering and their tuning is searingly accurate.

Singing in German throughout, never easy for an English choir, they relished the delicious and unexpected harmonies in chorales by Luther’s contemporaries such as Johann Walther and Heinrich Schütz and sang Mendelssohn refreshingly senza schmaltz.

Hopefully, funding can be found to tour this choir throughout Britain and overseas.