UK Cathedral Concerts in 2024

[Luckdragon]

So, our first concert of the year is finished and we have now had a chance to hear the new songs, new soloists and a glimpse of who remains in the group and who has joined them.

Somehow I managed to write 3,000 words so I've spit it into personal experiences and the actual songs review, so you can skip the first part!

Thank you both for the time and effort you spent on these. They are much appreciated!

[Padmachou]

Thank you Yorkie for your review ! It is nice to read your thoughts. Nice to read you too Celtic !

I will start my review with a check on the members : 8 new boys, one of them full-time stage already (Jerome Collins it would seem, I will try to update the members database with pictures later). One of the new boys is Caius, Cory’s little brother (I do not have a picture of him). There is a boy named Archer Robson (might he be connected to Chris Robson indeed ? ). Ludwik is back, I thought he had left. Now, missing in regards to the last concerts are : Ethan Barron, Oskar Hantsveit (hopefully not definitively ?), Mathias Montoro, Victor Wiggin, Koji Shinokubo. First concert without Victor in many, many years… Though there is quite a good number of members and it was very good as always ! Great to see Liam Connery conducting, and some former boys still doing stage management (Matthew J, Kavana, Tadhg…) and fulfill other roles.

New songs : good to know the Hill family can provide new songs. Josh did an amazing work, as well as Sam Coates, on the new arrangements. Josh told us he has been making other songs for the upcoming album, and some of it has already been recorded, which Iook forward to. He seems to strive in his personal musical projects as well. I did not thought we would get a new album so soon, it’s awesome !

I got to hear part of the rehearsal, I arrived during “O Beata” which I was thrilled to hear with a high voice (last December I only heard Mitchel’s low voice). I enjoyed the fact they did not sing the whole songs, which kept some surprises for the night. Now, let’s not dwell on my fantastic day with friends and the pre-concert excitement, this is a REVIEW, right ?

The concert started with a great piece, apparently never performed live before, but which I really like : Twilight. Morgan’s voice fits it perfectly, and I have to say, it is perfect to start a Spring concert when night still has not fallen yet in the cathedral. It was fantastic ! Pietro joined Morgan during the second half of the song. They work really well as a pair. I hope they record it for the new album, and Morgan needs to record solos before his voice break in my opinion. I like your idea that it might be the album’s title, Yorkie !

The second song was, as predicted by the ChatGPT (NO, it got it all wrong, but still, the song was performed), Sanctus. A nice one I feel I have heard too many times, though there was a small surprise : no way to say who did the high notes. I could not find a boy doing it all along, and sharing thoughts with other fans after the concert, it seems there was not one, but some, doing it at different times… Quite a shared choir job, well handled ! It is a Libera classic, and it had to be on the setlist I guess (well, either Sanctus or Libera if not both).

Not sure when it started to feel like night had fallen on the cathedrals, but at some point I noticed the lights, which had been very scarce during the rehearsal. Most of the lights on the boys were yellow/white, but the section behind the boys, with very high dark ceiling, received colorful lights all night long, which I really enjoyed. I have not enjoyed the sound of the church so much (like Yorkie pointed, the orchestra in front of the stage was a bit noisy and crushed the voices sometimes), but I really like the looks of Ely’s Cathedral.

Seabird was quite a surprise, although we heard about it a bit before the concert. I really enjoyed the soft sound of… the piano, I think ? Joseph’s voice was velvet. I also really loved the movement of the boys on stage. They started a bit like The Lighthouse, 4 very narrow lines with the soloist in front, and then they spread on stage, figuring the wings of a bird. I look forward to hearing the record. The music fits Libera and I think it is good to know Libera has a bunch of people volunteering to compose music for them.

Joseph had a busy night, since after this great solo he got to an other one. Voca Me was beautiful and flawless. Like some stated, a nice suspensed time at the end of the song would have been magical. Though, I have been coughing a lot in between songs and did not get the time to dwell on that much. But I do remember not experiencing that special silent time once during the concert. Not ONCE. Which I missed. The boys were in the usual way everywhere on stage, facing different ways. I like this staging it gets you to watch from there to there and try to follow the lead switching from one boy to an other.

Then, as I thought Joseph would need to rest a bit, NO, he stepped up to sing The Prayer ! I feel like he has done it even better than before. He might still get a bit better at breath control and nerves control sometimes, but he is a really good soloist and it makes sense that he is entrusted with so many important parts. I might add that Joseph and Ben together are handling most of the very high notes for the choir right now. It seems absolutely effortless to them. It got me to wonder if there is some genetics to singing, or if their mother trained them in vocals from a very young age. It is amazing that such an ability runs in a family. The staging was the usual one : two half circles, boys kneeling at the beginning and then standing at the same time.

O Beata was one of the highlights for me. Like I said, I wanted to hear it with the high notes, and Cameron did a nice job. I especially enjoyed the fact that both him and Mitchel got a part to shine by themselves, as well as the duo part. Cameron’s voice is very pure, I hope he gets to record a solo on the next album. The lights on this song were especially good, with changes of intensity, from dusk to very bright. Also, kudos to the guy playing the oboe and the woman with the flute, just underlining the voices. Their sound was fantastic. Cameron was middle front stage, Mitchel just a bit behind like the echo of the past.

Love Shine a Light gets me sort of dancing on my chair, sorry for the inconvenience. Hal, Morgan and Oscar J. did the intro together and Morgan did the end by himself. I really enjoyed Mitchel’s solo intro, but it is great that the boys get opportunities to “try” themselves for solo parts like that, and it’s cute. Ben and Joseph’s high notes were fantastic.

Salva Me was an other highlight, and although I have heard it many times I always want it back on the setlist. Ben’s “salvaaa”s were great, wait no, perfect. There is something special about that song (and green lighting), the way the voices seem to connect, the hands movement… Sure it is one of the first Libera songs I have heard and it stucks, but it feels like a sound I remember from before I was even born. I think there were 4 or 5 groups of boys, plus Ben on the side doing the solo.

The Lark’s last Song, new song by Josh Madine (and a contribution from Franz Liszt ) is just a perfect Libera song in my opinion. It made me think of other great Libera songs inspired by famous classical pieces (Luminosa, Lacrymosa…). I can’t wait to hear the record. Now if you want to try and imagine what it sounds like, here comes a piano version which allows me to remember the concert :



I am the day was probably the best occurrence I have seen during a concert so far. Morgan is doing a great job on it, it might even make sense to record it ? Or make a music video ? I could not spot the boys doing the whispering from where I was seated, sorry. Ben’s high notes were crystal pure. Not sure who did the low ones, I thought it was Nathan but Patrick said it was Daniel (which makes sense, he has been doing it during the last concerts). Morgan was alone standing in the middle, there were groups of boys (2 on each side), their heads low and turned to watch outside the stage, then they would turn and get their heads up for the main chorus parts.

INTERVAL

The second part started with Beati Quorum. I haven’t seen anyone mention it but it had a brand new instrumental introduction, very bouncy, I like it. No solo, the whole choir doing the “Beati”, which was nice as well. I know not everyone enjoys the song, but I really do. I hope Raoul composes other songs for the new album.

There was a speech about brothers in Libera and we met Caius, Cory’s little brother which looks absolutely identical and around the same height.

Angel was a DIFFICULT piece, because I had a bad cough. Very bad. Did not enjoy the song because I was struggling. Sad because it sounds like Pietro and Morgan did a decent job. It is not one of my favourite songs though.

Angele Dei IS one of my favourite, and I was still struggling with my breath and lungs… Sadly I wish I could have enjoyed it more peacefully, as Morgan really did something SPECIAL here. I could not have imagined him making such sounds, his voice is fantastic and can be super powerful ! I hope to hear that one live again ! Make a music video and all ! Please. I will give all my money.

From a Distance is a nice one and it was great to see Freddie H and Nathan perform a duet. They sound very nice together, soft and smooth. I am not sure they will be able to be soloists for a much longer time, they have grown up so fast. I loved their “Once an Angel” so much… I hope they recorded their voices for the next album already.

Sacris Solemnis was a surprise. I did not thought we would hear it, and I was glad to see Freddie H enjoy a solo on this one. I really like this song. Thomas M did a great job with the last “aaah”, he is a master at such high notes as he showcased in December already. I hope this talent will be showcased in the next album as well. Ben and Joseph did the high notes on the final part. The crescendo was fantastic, powerful and the whole choir did an awesome job.

One Small Voice (the name of the song makes me think of “One Voice”, which deserves a new arrangement as well) was such a lovely moment with Julian doing his first solo, very well introduced during the speech. I was so proud of him, because he was so clearly proud of himself ! As he should be ! You could tell it was a big deal for him and I really like his voice and vibes. I can’t wait to hear the track in the album. Julian and Joseph were in the middle, with Ben and Freddie H a step behind them on the sides. The four of them had solo parts. I really enjoyed it and I think there were great low parts from the bigs. Busy night for Freddie H, I now realize. It’s good that he enjoys such opportunities, for he joined while not so young already. Joseph had very high notes, sounding like a flute. Ben and Freddie mostly did vocalizes I think. Freddie’s voice is pretty low, he has quite a range right now from high to low… The song is a sort of lullabye, I really enjoyed it.



Ave Maria (Prizeman) was a big surprise ! I have been disappointed in the past with this one. Well, first, I really like the version with the duet better. But also, lately we had “fake” solos on this one, like Lewis, Luca and Daniel at the same time. Here Lewis stepped up and did it all by himself, and it was so moving ! He did a brilliant job if you ask me. He might not have the best control over his voice, but he put it all in it and it was one of these one of a lifetime magical moment. I hope he enjoyed it just as much. I feel like he deserved to do it his way at least once. I could totally see the song make it to Song of Praise… please ?

God Only Knows was a bit off to me, not sure why. It did not have the bouncy quality it usually has, maybe I was still numb with the pure quality of the Ave Maria… Joseph and Thomas M did a fine job though, and I really like the piece. Like Freddie H, Nathan’s voice is at a very wide range now, since he can perform both “From a Distance” and the low solo part on “God Only Knows”.


Sing for Our World is a good one to end the concert. Like some said I might have switched Sing and Smile, though I think both way makes sense.

Smile was very, very, very nice ! I suits Ben’s voice perfectly and the duet parts with Mitchel were very soft.

So, what is more to say ? It was a fantastic concert. I wish I could attend the Summer Tour, it is going to be great. I can’t wait for the new album.

I have noticed some pictures in the programme that we had never seen before and I can’t tell where they are from. Some of them have Jerome Collins on stage already… I think they must be recent pictures, possibly from private concerts for the Viking Cruise… One of them has both Jerome AND Oskar H, so it looks like Oskar has been part of the choir at least for the last months. He might be back this Summer.

Thank you to everyone for sharing pictures, thoughts, the chatting before and aftet the concert... It was great seeing you all, I hope to see you again next December

[Luckdragon]

So, what is more to say ? It was a fantastic concert. I wish I could attend the Summer Tour, it is going to be great. I can’t wait for the new album.

Thank you. I appreciate the way you make a special effort to remember the staging while you enjoy the music. It helps us imagine the scene much better.

[Yorkie]

Thanks Citlec (why the name change?) and Padmachou for your excellent reviews. I enjoyed them and you each helped me to remember details that I had forgotten or missed.

[Citlec]

Thanks Citlec (why the name change?) and Padmachou for your excellent reviews. I enjoyed them and you each helped me to remember details that I had forgotten or missed.

I spontaneously decided to return to the forum ahead of the concert as my excitement was building, and I had no idea how to go about getting an old username reactivated, or how long it would take, so I just decided to create a new account again and hit on the genius idea of using my username backwards (no, I know, it's a stupid name.)

I've read your review and Padmachou's now and feel the same, that there are details you both noticed that I hadn't but I was also very pleased to see that there were several things we thought the same about, which is comforting. Thanks for writing them! If I get the energy I'll try and reply to certain points, but I'm fairly exhausted from writing mine right now. So if I don't, just know they were very enjoyable reads.

[Surpinto]

Three amazing reviews so far! Thank you Yorkie, Citlec, and Padma for your lovely reviews.

After the concert, I got a lift back to Stansted from a friend, but because of the £7 charge for the drop-off point, I agreed to be abandoned on a pebble filled verge between a roundabout and the entrance to a car park. After a treacherous trek over the pebbles of death and avoiding the cars of doom, and most importantly avoiding the shambling crowds of feral creatures who use that airport to fly, I made it to the train and back to London, where I got to the tube for my branch. I listened to the Joseph McManners album to drown out the noise of the mostly-drunk fellow passengers, getting home just before 1am.

Drop off charge?! That's an outrage!

Pebbles of death? Cars of doom? Feral creatures in a shambles?

You endured quite a lot just to see one choir I must say

The second thing, as can be seen from my spoiler set list post after hearing the rehearsal is that they flipped the order of Twilight and Sanctus between rehearsal and concert. Patrick suggested that they would but I said that they wouldn’t – I should never doubt Patrick!

Yeah, they never open with "Sanctus". Great review and thank you so much!

Josh told us he has been making other songs for the upcoming album, and some of it has already been recorded, which Iook forward to. He seems to strive in his personal musical projects as well. I did not thought we would get a new album so soon, it’s awesome !

Yeah, as we know they often put songs on the albums which they never perform live. As always I'm curious just which ones will be repeated, and how many new ones there will be. I think "Twilight" is a good one to bring back after such a long hiatus. Enjoyed your review also, with all of the wonderful details that you included!

[Citlec]

Drop off charge?! That's an outrage!

Pebbles of death? Cars of doom? Feral creatures in a shambles?

You endured quite a lot just to see one choir I must say

Frodo had it easy!!

Patrick suggested that they would but I said that they wouldn’t – I should never doubt Patrick!

The First Rule of Libera Club is: Never doubt Patrick!

The Second Rule of Libera Club is: Always talk about Libera Club.

[Surpinto]

Frodo had it easy!!

Just as long as you don't refer to the choir as "precious"

Patrick suggested that they would but I said that they wouldn’t – I should never doubt Patrick!

The First Rule of Libera Club is: Never doubt Patrick!

The Second Rule of Libera Club is: Always talk about Libera Club.

Damn right! That's why we're here and been posting like crazy for the last few days...even those of us who didn't attend the concert!

So the stage was higher this time around? With you being up front and center did that make any difference one way or another?

[Citlec]

I have not enjoyed the sound of the church so much (like Yorkie pointed, the orchestra in front of the stage was a bit noisy and crushed the voices sometimes), but I really like the looks of Ely’s Cathedral.

So the stage was higher this time around? With you being up front and center did that make any difference one way or another?

I've suffered with that sound balance problem at Ely before, particularly when I was right near the end of one of the wings. I was lucky this time and effectively had better sound balance than Liam, who was actually sitting left of the centre and obviously closer. So I, for once, had zero issues, even with the musicians where they were. But in general, yes, I would still prefer them to be at the sides, or at the back like in SJSS. But I guess it just isn't possible sometimes.

But that sort of thing is always an issue at any concert. This year at the CVMS Handel concert, I sat on the wrong side and was too close to the trumpets, who deafened that poor Zadok. At the second Magdalen concert in Temple Church I was sat right next to the Theorbo player, so in some sections my concert was basically a Theorbo solo concert with some voices as accompaniment...

Frodo had it easy!!

Just as long as you don't refer to the choir as "precious"

► Show Spoiler

ElyEyeOfSauron.jpg (139.43 KiB) Viewed 1750 times

ElyEyeOfSauron.jpg (139.43 KiB) Viewed 1750 times

[Surpinto]

I've suffered with that sound balance problem at Ely before, particularly when I was right near the end of one of the wings. I was lucky this time and effectively had better sound balance than Liam, who was actually sitting left of the centre and obviously closer. So I, for once, had zero issues, even with the musicians where they were. But in general, yes, I would still prefer them to be at the sides, or at the back like in SJSS. But I guess it just isn't possible sometimes.

But that sort of thing is always an issue at any concert. This year at the CVMS Handel concert, I sat on the wrong side and was too close to the trumpets, who deafened that poor Zadok. At the second Magdalen concert in Temple Church I was sat right next to the Theorbo player, so in some sections my concert was basically a Theorbo solo concert with some voices as accompaniment...

Had to look up what a theorbo was! Yeah, I know that they try really hard to get the sound right, especially given their use of microphones, amplification, and a mixing board. They seem to always do a good job of that in Ely. The only time that I'm aware of that the sound was actually bad (obviously it's better at some venues or concerts than others) was 2017 in St Louis.

Libera is way ahead of most choirs on the technology front, and has been for decades at this point.

Frodo had it easy!!

Just as long as you don't refer to the choir as "precious"

► Show Spoiler

:PElyEyeOfSauron.jpg

[Citlec]

Here is a comparison of the Ely stage and musician positions in the four concerts they have had there. Last image from Fons.

In 2017 there were 4 rows in the crescent seats but the stage was the furthest back it has ever been. I don't recall any audio problems for this one.
In 2018 there were 2 rows in the crescent seats but with the stage significantly further forward. This is the year I had issues with the musicians right on top of me and a massive imbalance. (you can even see me in the photo less than 2m from the closest musician!)
In 2022 there were 2 rows in the crescent seats the stage somewhere between the last two positions. I had no audio issue.
In 2024 there were 4 rows in the crescent seats and stage in about the same position as 2022. but the two extra rows does mean the front row was closer than 2022. I had no issues, but some others did and I noticed a new speaker setup being used, which I'm guessing was designed to distribute the sound around more than the big speakers they have used in the past?

I mean I would say the ideal would be that 2017 stage position, but with the speaker setup of 2024. but there are of course always limitations on the day, particularly if you need space at the back for equipment and for the furniture of Ely itself (like the moveable choir stalls). At the end of the day all four of the concerts were fantastic, even 2018, and you can't please everyone all of the time. Though if the Always Applauding-early Dipstick could learn to wait a few seconds...

ElyEvolution.jpg (533.59 KiB) Viewed 1632 times

ElyEvolution.jpg (533.59 KiB) Viewed 1632 times

[Surpinto]

Appreciate the detailed analysis all of the different setups! I wonder why so many changes over such a relatively short period of time? Obviously they were trying a new speaker as you mentioned in the most recent concert but I didn't experience any issues when I saw them in Ely in 2018, they sounded as good as they ever had. In fact, I would place that at some of the best I've ever heard them…. granted however that I have not seen them nearly as often as others so maybe I'm justy plain wrong . To be fair though I was sitting further back in center so that plays a role also.

[Citlec]

It was quite literally just down to how close I was to the musicians in 2018. I was in nearly the same spot in 2017 (in fact you can just see me in that photo too...) and had no issue. In 2022 I was second row and with my back to one of the pillars, so more central and the sound was perfect.

[fan_de_LoK]

Interesting comparison, thank you Citlec

A suggestion for the 2024 image reference: to use an image that matches with the 3 others ?
It was taken by Fons Saturday, while he was in the Cathedral Tower guided tour.

► Show Spoiler

https://x.com/Alfokla1/status/1800141112319127817

[Citlec]

Interesting comparison, thank you Citlec

A suggestion for the 2024 image reference: to use an image that matches with the 3 others ?
It was taken by Fons Saturday, while he was in the Cathedral Tower guided tour.

► Show Spoiler

https://x.com/Alfokla1/status/1800141112319127817

Thanks Patrick, I've changed the 2024 photo and also flipped the 2022 photo to make comparison of positions easier.