Philip van Wilder Concert @ The Charterhouse, London - 2 September 2006

Thank you so much for a superb and fascinating concert yesterday.  It was good to hear the van Wilder pieces again - confirming previous impressions at Lincoln and Ingatestone, especially of Vidi Civitatem and Homo Quidam.  I was also impressed by Sancte Deus, even though I am so fond of the Tallis version - and the more intimate Pater Noster.

Just a note to say how much Elizabeth and I enjoyed the Cantores concert last night.  You were all on excellent form and certainly made a good case for Philip van Wilder.  I noticed the mixed formation and did think the sound was better blended, as one would expect.  I thought the opening piece [Deo Gratias] from the back of the hall sounded absolutely stunning, with an almost instrumental effect.

We very much enjoyed our evening at the Charterhouse which is a quite mind-blowingly beautiful place and I mean to return there pretty soon.  We enjoyed the singing (afraid I can't quote specific titles as I've not got the prog. in front of me) - in one or two of the van Wilder pieces the harmonies were so rich and the voices so melifluous that I felt - sorry it sounds mawkish - 'This is what angels would sound like if you went to heaven'.  The final motet [Vidi Civitatem] was like a symphony, what an astounding piece of writing!  That, if nothing else will sell me the CD - I presume it will be included?

I would like to say how much we enjoyed the Cantores concert last night.  The venue was wonderful with an ideal acoustic, the programme was most interesting and the singing was brilliant.

Thanks to you and all at Cantores for another memorable concert, at a fascinating venue.  There were three works (both "Amy, souffrez" and Wilder's Aspice Domine)  where I just wanted to rewind and play the track again - I only hope you can capture some of that musical and emotional intensity on the CD.