Jeremy Budd reviews
Good night, beloved
The Sixteen/Harry Christophers; Christopher Glynn (piano) et al (CORO)
Handel: Acis and Galatea
Lucy Crowe, Allan Clayton, Benjamin Hulett, Jeremy Budd, Neal Davies; Early Opera Company/Christian Curnyn (Chaconne)
Purcell: Royal Welcome Songs for King Charles II
The Sixteen; The Sixteen Orchestra/Harry Christophers (Coro)
Haydn: Harmoniemesse; Symphony No. 99
Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra & Chorus/Harry Christophers, et al (CORO)
JS Bach: St Matthew Passion
The St Matthew Passion was part of Good Friday Vespers, the biblical narrative and the chorales familiar to the congregation, and in their native language. Jeffrey Skidmore’s Ex Cathedra forces, in this recording released to celebrate the group’s 40th anniversary, reflect Bach’s own practice in many respects – period instruments, soloists picked from the choir, and a fine sense of performance style.