Reviews

Reviews: Berlioz

21.12.2007

” For the trilogie sacrée of Berlioz the LSO had engaged some fantastic co-performers. In the first place the unsurpassed Nederlands Kamerkoor, with which conductor Ed Spanjaard has a good relationship, and which also participated in the LSO’s Fauré CD. In addition several excellent vocal soloists took part.”

Author unknown, in Dagblad de Limburger of 17 December 2007.

“The music has a consciously archaic character, as if it exists in a timeless vacuum which sometimes makes one think of Debussy and even Satie. The conductor Ed Spanjaard managed to capture the music’s modest beauty wonderfully, above all after the first part, which had been somewhat marred by ragged entries.” [...] “The Nederlands Kamerkoor excelled particularly in the movingly beautiful scene in which the shepherds take their leave of the Holy Family.”

Eddie Vetter in De Telegraaf of 17 December 2007.

“The best qualities of the Limburgs Symfonie Orkest and the Nederlands Kamerkoor were certainly evident during their performance of the work in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on Saturday. Ed Spanjaard, a conductor who hides his light under the Maastricht bushel more than the rest of the world deserves, lovingly moulded the string sound, expertly mixed the brass into it, and kept the music constantly transparent.”

Frits van der Waa in de Volkskrant of 17 December 2007.

“The Nederlands Kamerkoor showed us its best side, especially in the mystical final chorus, a slow reflection on the miracle of Our Saviour. Even the most depraved of souls would rush to church after hearing that. When the enthusiastic applause had finished, many of the audience exchanged beatific glances. Now let the feast of Christmas begin!”

Michel Khalifa in het Parool of 17 December 2007.