‘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.’
Elgar, Music Makers; Prokofiev, Alexander Nevsky
Press quote When the Leeds Festival and Philharmonic Choruses come together, they form a choral group that would rival any in Europe, a fact that became abundantly clear in their performance of Elgar’s The Music Makers. Producing a gorgeous sound, the large male contingent balancing the robust quality of the well-focused sopranos. Yorkshire Post Published May 2008
Elgar, Music Makers; Prokofiev, Alexander Nevsky
Press quote [Simon] Wright and his forces conveyed the grandeur and nobility of the Music Makers as vividly as they lifted the stabbing ferocity from the pages of Prokofiev’s score. The Festival and Philharmonic Choruses were called upon to display their versatility in this most challenging of double bills even to the extent of learning and mastering
Rutter, Requiem
Press quote David Hill, who manages to lead an astonishingly full professional musical schedule, is undoubtedly an inspiration to the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus whose musical director he became three years ago. Their performance of John Rutter’s Requiem, in which Leeds Girls’ High School’s choir participated, reflected in every detail of balance and dynamic shading an impressive commitment
Wilby, Bronte Mass
Press quote A mighty ovation greeted the première of Philip Wilby’s A Brontë Mass, commissioned by the Philharmonic Chorus. It is a major addition to the English choral repertoire from a composer steeped in its history. It is more muscular and red-blooded than most works in the tradition and has integrity and clarity expressed economically. It was
Adams, Harmonium
Press quote Leeds Town Hall audiences are not best known for their empathy towards anything composed in the last 50 years, so that the prolonged ovation that greeted the choral work, Harmonium, by the American composer, John Adams, must have surprised and delighted the combined Leeds Festival and Philharmonic choruses. It had been a brave venture with
Brahms, Ein Deutsches Requiem
Press quote ...this concert marked David Hill’s first appearance as ‘the Phils’ music director; a post he occupies concurrently with the music directorships of the Bach Choir and St John’s College Cambridge. The members of his Leeds Choir are going to have a very fruitful relationship with their new conductor. This was abundantly clear to those of
