Alabaster rendered in sound

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Using little or no vibrato, the group conjures a smooth, unblemished timbre like alabaster rendered in sound. Singers are hand-picked to create an aural pyramid, with light, high voices - enriched by, as far as one could tell, three male altos - resting on a sturdy bedrock of basses. Far from compressing the timbre, such careful structuring allows rare lucidity and resonance.

This was ef fective in the Vaughan William settings, especially The cloud capp'd towers and Come away, death. Three versions of Full fathom five provided a fascinating centrepiece, including one by Jaako Mantyjarvi (b 1963), its low "dingdong-bell" tolling as if from a drowned cathedral. For an encore, Polyphony gave us Sleep by Eric Whitacre (b 1970), an American composer little known beyond choral circles but loved by those who sing.

BBC Proms: Proms Chamber Music 3 - Polyphony/Layton
Cadogan Hall
Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ