“The Gesualdo Six have everything going for them – talent, youth, stamina, confidence and years of experience of singing the most difficult vocal polyphony in the repertoire.
“they sang with utter conviction, perfect intonation, impeccable blend, just balance and even a little humour.
“they created the stillness and peace of night in the hushed awe that greeted each Responsory. They sang the Latin as if it were a second language.
“Each Responsory contains a fast section, usually of short frantic phrases across the parts, which are the most difficult to integrate, but the sextet knew exactly where their harmonies were heading, often illustrating the text with impromptu looks and body gestures, the tenor’s little wake-up kick at vigilate (“be watchful”), the shiver that ran through the voices at fugam (“flee”). They were completely involved with text and score, singing their own part while meshing with the others so that Gesualdo’s gorgeous Poulenc-esque phrase on ego vadam, justified its several repetitions. The blend is superb; but the line-up consists of soloists who will surely also appear as Evangelists, lieder singers or lute-song recitalists in time.
“Owain Park moulded the beat with fluency and a sense of momentum.”
Published in The Tablet on 11/02/16: http://www.thetablet.co.uk/arts/11/7960/lenten-promise
