By Marina Carnwath 

Bach’s B Minor Mass is a notoriously difficult work to perform. The intricate parts involved for all choral ranges are so complicated that they seem better suited to string performers, rather than voice. Tom Wilkinson’s St Salvatore’s Chapel Choir and the professional, Grammy award winning, Fitzwilliam Quartet were joined on Sunday night by the Kellie Consort, a pre-professional Baroque ensemble, to perform the mass for the launch of their new CD.

The concert was widely acclaimed by the audience, varying from being described as “polished” to “wonderful”. Of particular note (no pun intended), was the clarity of diction coming from the singers, with the sounds of the consonants reaching even those sitting at the very back of the chapel, and up by the organ. The orchestra too, excelled, using period instruments to create an authentic performance of the work. One attendee cited the orchestra’s contribution as the pinnacle of importance for the night’s success, saying that, due to her own lack of musical expertise, the instrumental sections were more accessible to the ignorant ear than the vocal solos.

However, another guest singled out the vocalists for particular praise instead. Judy Brown, the alto soloist, performed the Agnus Dei of the mass, drawing more attention and emotion from the audience, even on the 231st page of the score. In total, the number of performers on stage reached around 65, rendering the coherent performance an even more impressive feat.

This whole performance was intended as the launch event for the new CD, Bach and the Stile Antico, one of the last events in the On the Rocks calendar. The recording, available on Amazon, contains a selection of the works, known to have influenced Bach in the writing of his Credo for the B Minor Mass. If the quality of music at this launch event is any indication, this CD should prove to be another impressive entry into the St Salvatore’s Chapel Choir discography.