Liedertafel in Oxford
Their unusual concerts range from "Oxford Detective Fiction and Music" with Colin Dexter OBE, to obscure Spanish polyphony and neglected English and German romantic part-songs for mens' voices.
"James Bowman's concert with Liedertafel in Wadham College Chapel was one of the most enjoyable performances I have been to in Oxford for a long time.... Liedertafel's approach was delightful, vivid in such frivolities as Henry VIIIs Adieu madame et ma maistresse, agonisingly intense in Brumel's Lamentations." The Oxford Times. The Liedertafel Tradition"Liedertafel" ("Song table") has been a traditional title for mens' voice singing groups in Germany since the beginning of the 19th century. In 1808 The Berlin Liedertafel was formed and, as with the English glee clubs, members met on a fixed evening each week to eat, drink and make music. The Oxford Liedertafel carries on some of this tradition, albeit in a different order!
A song table from Naples |
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| "... a perfection of blend and tone that was at all times extremely satisfying, and at times beyond sublime." Henley Standard "Your concerts are just the sort of thing I love doing." James Bowman after singing with Liedertafel in Wadham Chapel on September 29th, 2007. "Working with Liedertafel has been a great joy for me" Colin Dexter OBE (creator of Inspector Morse). "...thrilled audiences at EMF last year and will be returning to us at EMF 2010" - "Superb - gorgeous voices floating out... A heart-wrenching rendition of Linden Lea as the encore reduced the EMF director to tears..." Newsletter of the English Music Festival, Winter 2009 "These singers, all soloists in their own right, make a sound as far as possible from the fuzzily 'ecclesiastical' effect still associated with church choirs. I was going to say that they were at their best the more complex the music became, especially in such a masterpiece as the "Gloria" from the recently-discovered "Missa Ave Regina Celorum" of Jacob Obrecht (d.1505), a gem of Franco-Flemish polyphony. But that would be to underestimate the straightforward joys of good diction and perfect intonation in carols such as the 15th-century German "Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine" ..." Oxford Times "The programme had been chosen with great care... complex musical structures were contrasted by the emotive simplicity of modern arrangements of traditional carols. And throughout, the ensemble produced a performance that was deeply satisfying in its attention to detail, allowing the music to speak directly to every listener." Henley Standard (After our Christmas concert held in 2007 in Trinity College Chapel.) "The group's precise clear vocal delivery certainly didn't suggest any alcoholic indulgences... this well matched, thoroughly professional group of singers seem able to phrase and deliver the longest of vocal lines without ever needing to draw breath" Oxford Times , St John's College Chapel, August 22nd 2008 "...performance and musicality of the highest quality... It was great to see such accomplished performers having so much fun with their music. We enjoyed immaculately performed gems such as an Ode to Tobacco from the 16th century, juxtaposed with works by composers such as Brahms and Schubert that touched the soul. Perhaps Liedertafel’s choice of an encore, Michelle by the Beatles, best illustrates the accessibility of this fine ensemble’s music" Henley Standard, Hambleden Recital Series, August 23rd 2008
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Founded in 2003, Liedertafel is drawn from four of the most prestigious choral foundations in the world; Westminster Cathedral, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and New College, Oxford.
