As the capacity audience settled down and the choirs took their places on stage, the sheer scale of what we were about to witness became apparent.
Under the massive organ, dramatically bathed in amber light and occupying almost the full width of the Royal Festival Hall, were 300 singers from two of England’s finest choral groups.
Crouch End Festival Chorus and Hertfordshire Chorus, accompanied by London Orchestra da Camera were under the baton of the festival chorus co-founder David Temple.
He set the mystical mood for the evening as he kickstarted the orchestral Prelude of Elgar’s magnificent The Kingdom.
Five minutes of beautiful soaring strings, reflective melodies and the occasional rattle of timpani.
Last year CEFC released a very well received CD of The Kingdom. The four soloists seated to the right and left of Temple were the same who had joined the Chorus at Ally Pally for the recording.
Their power and the range quickly became apparent, first as The Disciples sang with the Holy Women So He was their Saviour, and then shortly afterwards as the choir joined the soloists in the complex and compelling interplay of Let Them Give Thanks.
The duet, recounting the miracles of Christ, between Mary and Mary Magdalene (Francesca Chiejina and Dame Sarah Connolly), was stunning.
As was the magical and the beautiful Mystic Chorus. The latter gave the choir the opportunity to show off their deep understanding of Elgar’s vision for the piece.
In Part IV the audience was transfixed by Mary’s desperately sad aria.
A spiritual reflection on the night before her son’s crucifixion, Chiejina excelled in a beautifully paced and nuanced performance of the incredibly sad The Sun Goeth Down.
The support and connection between the soloists and voices was clear – this was not a competition but a collaboration to deliver the best possible interpretation of this (sadly) underperformed masterpiece.
Temple's conducting was passionate and committed but never flamboyant.
A brilliant performance – three excellent sets of musicians led by one of England’s foremost Elgar champions.
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