The Song Company’s guest Program Director Huw Belling assembled an extraordinary program examining different composers’ conceptualisations of three familiar creative inspirations: songs built on the basic major scale; how the spiritual dimension – religious, secular and mystical – is expressed; and, the immutability of musical forms at the apex of classical traditions (through a study of J S Bach – or was it?).  

Frankly, the logic of the program became less important as the concert progressed, despite Belling’s entertaining narration between brackets. And that was because of its sheer brilliance and musicality in the hands of these masters of technique and interpretation. This was first-class ensemble singing, despite the very challenging repertoire, executed with a quiet confidence and attention to detail.  

Huw Belling introduces The Song Company’s Pairings & Odd Couples. Photo © Peter Hislop

The first four songs were a wildly contrasting progression (by Guido D’Arrezo, Orlando di Lassus, Arvo Pärt and Irish composer Gerald Barry), all demonstrating the use of the C-Major scale as spine and anchoring theme. The six singers were immediately in their element, with tone, balance and dynamic expression...