09 December 2024

Many happy returns


It was just a few weeks ago that I'd heard Kompactus at a Wesley Wednesday lunchtime session.  It was obviously a prep for their end-of-year concert, also at Wesley, but seeing it again was no loss.  I'd been entranced the first time enjoyed it massively again.  The one main difference was the accompaniment - this time: there was none.  I prefer a choir singing a capella, so no issue there.  There were one or two additions to the repertoire, six Joshua Shank Colour madrigals rather than two, an original by chorister Jesse Hill, a second tune by MD Olivia Swift, maybe one or two other changes.  And I've written similar comments in my notes, strong and certain dynamics, washes of harmonic colour, interweaving lines and the like.  I was amused that Olivia had checked the technical correctness of one song, Comet, with the resident astrophysicist and was fascinated by the melding of Eric Whitaker Sleep with Olivia Swift Sleepless.  It worked a treat.  Enough to say I enjoyed this one immensely like the last.  What a lovely and capable choir.

Kompactus Youth Choir performed at Wesley under MD Olivia Swift (conductor).

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