An Involving Account

A visit from Die Marienkantorei, Osnabrück,
heard by MIKE WHEELER

Taking a more oblique approach to its concert marking the centenary of World War I than Derby Bach Choir the previous week, Derby Choral Union was joined Die Marienkantorei, a choir based at the Marienkirche in Derby's German twin city, Osnabrück (Derby Cathedral, Derby UK, 22 November 2014).

The Choral Union began with an energetic account of Insane et vanae curae, adapted from a storm chorus from Haydn's little-known oratorio Il ritorno di Tobia, and a serene one of Mozart's Ave verum corpus. The two choirs then came together for Abendlied, a moving piece of intense tranquillity by Josef Rheinberger, better known for his organ music...