The Triumph of (Sir) Richard

Christmas Oratorio - Ludus Baroque Chamber Orchestra, Soloists and Chorus directed by Richard Neville Towle at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh 16 December 2008

Every now and again as a reward for good behaviour our esteemed conductor, Sir Richard, is let out on day release for work experience with real professionals. His presentation of J S Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is becoming a ‘don’t miss’ event on the Edinburgh social calendar and unofficially marks the start of the festive season. This performance of parts 1 - 6 - with a suitably lengthy interval so large amounts of wine and food can be quaffed - was once again a triumph. New tenor on the block Ed Lyon which his creme caramel voice was an enlightened evangelist, Michael Chance’s sublime countertenor lines floated above the orchestra whilst the duets between soprano Sopie Daneman and bass Giles Underwood were just one of many highlights.

Sir Richard was in ebullient form, clearly relishing the eye contact from the members of the orchestra - something that never happens with the RTO - and thrilled that they not only played the right music in tune, but also came in on the beat. The valveless trumpets - or valueless as a misspelling in one review claims - were a lesson to our own trumpet section in how to razzle and dazzle, although sadly none of said section were to be spotted in the audience.

However, other members were out in full force. Chairman and really terrible clarinetist Peter Stevenson shook his head at the interval declaring he’d now heard the Christmas Oratorio four times and that alas he still ‘didn’t get it.’ Hugh Hillyard-Parker threw aside his oboe to open his lungs as a member of the chorus who sang lustily and were generally declared to be the best chorus yet. Our resident German, Felicitas Macfie was perplexed by the translation which she said completely failed to transmit the sheer joy of the original - a text she knows well, reciting it, as one does, before every Christmas meal. Speaking of which, this was truly a feast for the ears, not something one should expect in New York, although potential audience members will be relieved to note the RTO will not be singing - that we leave to the audience, so sharpen up your vocal chords now!

- Miss Chardonnay