CoroEdina, a Scottish chamber choir was formed in 2008. They are performing two concerts at this year’s Fringe. On the 9th August they performed Mozart’s Requiem and Solemn Vespers and there is an opportunity to hear the choir again on 23rd August in a programme of works by the living American composer Eric Whitacre.
What was clear throughout this concert was the real passion of the performers for the repertoire they were singing. Jonathan Wright conducted the ensemble excellently, and drew out some very special soft moments during the Requiem. The choir is made up of some excellent singers, and certain soloists (particularly during the Confitebor of the Vespers) sounded exceptionally well-trained.
Mozart died before finishing his Requiem manuscript, and many attempts at completing it have been made by later composers. CoroEdina chose to use a new version, written by Richard Maunder, which is quite different from other versions. In places the arrangement was excellent, and I would have enjoyed the opportunity to examine the fresh score in depth.
CoroEdina have a clear fanbase in Edinburgh, and Greyfriars Kirk was overflowing with people. This following has been justly earned, for the choir are very good indeed. Unfortunately, seated as I was at the back of the church for the first half of the concert, I was unable to hear much in the way of diction: rather a mush of well-tuned sound. However, upon moving nearer the front in the second half this problem was resolved. Those attending the performance on the 23rd should aim to arrive early enough to get a well-placed seat.
