Stravinsky’s Mass is a poignant piece that demands a top-notch choir to sing it. In the 10 years since Gregory Batsleer became Chorus Director, the SCO Chorus has gone from strength to strength and tonight he celebrates his anniversary by conducting this special concert.
Where Stravinsky is imposing, Haydn is grand and radiant: his mass was written shortly after his oratorio, ‘The Creation’, and it has the same hallmarks of great choral writing, wonderful instrumental cameos and a thrilling sweep to the finish. Between these monumental choral masterworks Stephanie Gonley plays and directs one of those marvellous pieces by Bach that you can never hear too often.
Stravinsky: Mass
Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041
Haydn: Harmoniemesse
Gregory Batsleer: Conductor
Stephanie Gonley: Violin / Director
Mary Bevan: Soprano
Catriona Morison: Mezzo-Soprano
Thomas Hobbs: Tenor
Callum Thorpe: Bass
SCO Chorus
Kindly supported by Anne McFarlane
(The Herald, October 2018)"Gregory Batsleer has the SCO Chorus operating as a lean, efficient machine, capable of vigour to match the players, and of a volume that defies its compact size, as well as singing of great delicacy”
SCO 2019/20: Haydn Harmony Mass with SCO Chorus