Tonight:
9°c
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Barry Millington's rating
Reader rating
Description: The Renaissance specialists perform festive music by Palestrina, Lambe, Mouton, White, Lassus and Guerrero.
Phone: 02072221061
Website: www.ronaldstevensonstjohns.com
Email: info@murraymclachlan.co.uk
It seems barely credible that the Tallis Scholars have been with us for 35 years. The singers may have changed but the founder-director, Peter Phillips, is still very much in charge.
For the Annual Christmas Festival at St John’s the choir juxtaposed the music of the Flemish master Josquin des Prez with that of slightly later English contemporaries. Little of the music was strictly Christmas-related, but who’s complaining? If Josquin’s mass Ave Maris Stella, with its impeccably balanced, fluent polyphony, elicited the smooth, polished delivery the choir does so well, the ensemble also captured the more robust, vibrant style of John Nesbitt (Magnificat) and John Sheppard (Jesu salvator seculi and Verbum caro factum est).
With a pleasantly reedy alto and a somewhat unyielding bass, the inner core of the ensemble sound can turn alarmingly astringent. A touch of fibre, however, is undoubtedly what this music needs. The two Sheppard items thrillingly caught fire. Topped by a pair of sopranos dipping and interweaving like high-wire acrobats, this inimitable vocal ensemble soared to an exhilarating conclusion.
Still to come in the festival, three top choirs: The Cardinall’s Musick, Chapelle du Roi and Polyphony.
Until 23 Dec (020 7222 1061)
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
