Dryden’s ‘A Song for St Cecilia’s Day’ celebrates music and its patron saint; thus Handel’s homage to a poem glorifying music itself needs to be phenomenal – and it is. There are several stand-outs in Ludus Baroque’s version of this ode including: the angelic soprano Mary Bevan, the oh-so talented flautist Rachel Moss, a stupendous violin ensemble, regal trumpeting by Steve Keavy, a heavenly (though underused) choir, and cellist Chris Suckling’s performance which was truly breathtaking. Conductor Richard Neville-Towle’s style was paramount in this performance’s success, attentive when needed, but his soft handedness allowed his musicians to breathe and shine. A lovely evening in an idyllic setting, but perhaps Dryden summarised best when he rhetorically asked: “What passion cannot Music raise and quell?”
Cannongate Kirk, 10 Aug, 7.30pm (9.00pm), £12.00 – £16.00, fpp207.
tw rating 4/5
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Sections: by Anna Eberts - ED2011 Music Reviews - tw rating 4/5 | Tags: Canongate Kirk, Ludus Baroque
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