‘The Leeds Philharmonic Society is the senior choir in the city by date of foundation and by virtue of its continued and very distinguished programme sustained annually since 1870.’
Handel’s Messiah, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and Florilegium
Press review Leeds Town Hall, Saturday 13th December 2014: The Leeds Philharmonic Chorus performance of Messiah is delightfully refreshing. Also performing is the small baroque orchestra Florilegium (with original instruments), which is beautifully shaped with finesse and elegance, taking hold of the drama of the piece, making it count for the big moments. The Leeds Philharmonic Chorus was
Britten, War Requiem
Press review St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, 14th November 2014: It is perhaps three decades since Britten’s War Requiem was last heard in Belfast. Last night, a sold out performance in St Anne’s Cathedral brought together the Ulster Orchestra with the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Belfast Philharmonic with the Leeds Philharmonic and the girl choristers of St Anne’s.
Brahms Requiem and Academic Festival Overture
Press review Leeds Town Hall, 24th May 2014: Brahms’ boisterous Academic Festival Overture is usually heard minus its choral embellishments, but that would have been a waste of the Leeds Festival and Leeds Philharmonic Choruses already seated in the risers above the orchestra. Much more than merely a warm-up for Brahms’ German Requiem in the second half,
The Dream of Gerontius 2014
Press review Leeds Town Hall, Saturday 15th February 2014: The late Mary Wilson of Ilkley sang in the soprano section of Leeds Philharmonic Chorus for an astonishing 52 years before going on to serve as President of the Friends of this famous Leeds choir. It is not difficult to believe that Mary would have been absolutely delighted with
Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and the Hallé
Press review Leeds Town Hall, Saturday 2nd November 2013: Thoughts of war and remembrance permeated this concert of orchestral and choral music. Elgar’s Overture In the South (Alassio) is effectively a tone poem for large orchestra containing an elegiac central section adorned by a ravishing viola solo. Elgar recalls the thoughts and sensations experienced on a glorious
The Hallé, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and Leeds Festival Chorus
Press review Leeds Town Hall, Saturday 25th May 2013: 20th Century American music made for a refreshing finale to Leeds International Orchestral Season. It was a pity though that John Adams’ Harmonium had to be dropped from the programme, for technical reasons. That left the 200 choristers assembled behind the Hallé Orchestra with just one work lasting less