Latvian voices live up to stellar reputations in voyage of choral discovery.

City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney
January 23, 2015

Topping the classical music bill at this year’s Sydney Festival (and Limelight’s prospective pick of the bunch), the Latvian Radio Choir last night proved why they are considered one of the very finest vocal outfits on the planet. In one hour, straight through, they delivered textbook interpretations of some of the most challenging and illuminating works in the modern choral repertoire.

How satisfying to be at one of those concerts where from the very first note you know that you can relax, sit back and let the safe hands of the performers take you wherever they will. Under their current conductor Sigvards Klava, the LRC discipline was immediately evident, as was control of dynamics – this is a choir who can pinpoint a pianissimo like 24 elite vocal ninjas. When required to deliver a full, satisfying forte, which they did relatively rarely in this essentially reflective program, it was clear that these were big voices making their mastery of a quiet, clean line with minimal vibrato even more impressive. And what a blend! Tight, bright sopranos, warm altos, sensitive,...