And now, probably bringing up the rear, as November and December as a rule are horribly busy times for me, here is my review, hoping that you still feel like looking back. It will not list each song, but those I felt a need to comment on. (And well, for the first time I wrote the English version before the German one, and that feels a bit strange.
). Enough. Please fasten your seat belts.
Prologue
This time, I was highly lucky to receive a unique warm-up for our Libera concert one day before by witnessing a children’s nativity play for their schoolmates in Westminster Cathedral. They sang a lot and did solos too, but the leitmotif throughout the play was –Libera’s Air recording with Tom Cully soloing. Oh!! It felt like a miracle to me! Short fragments were played repeatedly with one very long part towards the end. Here are two lousy recordings of mine (scroll up for the first), I was sitting in the last row to not disturb. Better turn them
extremelyloud. If I'd only known that the recordings would turn out so bad…
What a treat for a Libera fan whose reason for coming to London moreover is a Libera concert!
Fan_de_LoK had named London the capital of the world at this time of the year, and I can’t think of any description more appropriate.
It was my second Christmas concert. I had heard that a Libera Christmas concert never consists of Christmas music exclusively, but this time their part in total really was remarkably low. And this induces me to do some statistics:
2016: 19 songs including 7 Christmas songs, + 1 encore = 35 % carols
2017: 19 songs incl. 3 carols, + 2 encores incl. 1 carol = 19 % carols
Out of this year’s 4 carols, 50 % were heard in the 2016 concert (
Carol of the Bells,
In dulci jubilo). The remaining 50 % were
Do You Hear What I Hear and
Gaudete.
That’s sober facts just for the fun. I was entirely satisfied with both years' set lists, all the more, as there were no less than six surprises for me this time – pleasant surprises, and I simply loved every single of them, the individual song itself as well as its rendition.
The not so good things first to get it over with, but I’m happy to say that none of them was Libera’s fault, but due to the venue and the circumstances which forced Libera to move to another venue at shortest notice. Just remember that they tweeted the information at 1:30 am in the night of 28./29th November, and only a short sound check was feasible, squeezed into the gap between the preceding service and the concert. So the technique crew isn’t to blame either, they did their best under such an incredible pressure and they clearly must have worked on it during the interval. because the second half went much better! Big thank you, sound crew!
It affected the sound balance between different voice groups, one being stronger than the other, and several times the sound came a subsecond after the other one instead of a synchronous whole. Often, individual singers could be spotted too distinctly for a choir sound.
Westminster Cathedral certainly is a very nice church. The inner part displays a variety of colours which is pretty. But when you look upwards to the ceiling, you see into darkness ... Strange combination. As colourful as it is, this church has something gloomy. And during the concert, I felt a coldness of the atmosphere in there. In comparison, Ely Cathedral is a very big church as well, but how different is its effect! With its transparence and different styles in construction united here, it radiates joy, harmony, and yes, warmth. (Ok, sorry for bothering you again with my unlimited enthusiasm for Ely Cathedral …
)
This is serious. Furthermore, the two quite long wooden walls from left and right, behind which the choir was placed, were so high that the smallest boys were half covered. It resembled a shielding and created a distance between Libera and the audience, which, I’m honest, kept disturbing me throughout the concert.
Therefore, as curious and excited as I was to attend a Libera concert there and as happy as I sure am for those many people who got rid of the view-restricting pillars – an indisputable advantage! - or found themselves at a much better seat: Having experienced it now, I do not think that Westminster Cathedral is an ideal place for a Libera concert.
Ok, finished, now I’m ready for the good – and there was so much of it! I am able to say something very positive about the venue as well: The lighting was stunning and it seemed as if the church’s own colours were utilized to reinforce the lighting’s effect.
To have both surprise and anticipation, I read the setlist only during the interval so that the entire first concert half was like a blank area on the map for me. I love to recognise the next song by its first sounds instead of being informed before, especially the unexpected. It can cause such joyful jumps of the heart! And it started just as well right away
Do you hear what I hear
First song, first surprise! I’ve known the song for a long while, but never listened to Libera’s version. And now I’m convinced that Robert can read my mind, as those echoes and their way of expanding and mingling them are precisely what I’ve been dreaming of as a choir arrangement. There can really something be made out of this song – and here you are! Lovely singing by Libera.
Gaudete
Next surprise and very welcome! This song belongs to the “Exsultate†and “Dies Irae†category. I like it a lot, and the floating solo melody at the beginning enchants me. Very well done solo, Gabe..
Angele Dei
That’s the song I label as pure light-bath. I heard that live for the 3rd time now, and it's always absolutely marvelous plus it’s just ‘so Libera’! The full illumination of the church upwards during the “Illumina†parts went perfectly along with the music. Literally a
high light.
From a Distance
Robert rose from his seat to conduct. If he did so before, I overlooked it. The purpose, I assume, was to make himself visible, because the boys were kneeling. Merlin’s live solos so far couldn’t really convince me, as he tended to lug the notes from one to the next. But what a difference a few months can make! His singing qualities have developed in an amazing way. That lugging is completely gone. Accolades, Merlin!
Carol of the Bells
Just the best version of this popular song. 6 million plays on youtube? No wonder! I’m probably to blame for that high number, too. In addition of course to the many times I listen to my CD/DVD. Such a vivacious song, full of power and joyful tension. It was great to hear it live again.
It’s the next song’s turn.
Deep, long humming of the keyboard. This is … aw, yeah, it definitely is! …… am I really that lucky? Yes:
How Great Thou Art!
This song never fails to draw me in. I was so happy to hear it in the concert. Alex G. sang a very convincing, serious solo. Interesting how this song and “Wayfaring Stranger†are treated as a pair, as they are always soloed by one and the same soloist: Sam W. – Alessandro – Alex G.
Stay With Me
is not a favourite of mine, but I liked Oliver’s singing. I look forward to hearing more from him. He does deserve more solo opportunities, all the more as he was unlucky concerning the sound-technical issues.
Taichi, soloist of the vocalises here, has made a great step forward since Vallendar, However, that evening his voice sounded as if he was insecure about being too loud, too low or right. Apart from that, he did fine. A reliable, highly enjoyable soloist.
Dies Irae
Nice, strong song, but to my regret without the new introduction we had heard in Ely.
***
During the intermission, I had my first look at the programme and discovered
I Am the Day, surprise no. 4.
***
I Am The Day
So good to hear it live! The whispers at the beginning create a special mysterious atmosphere, almost creepy. Goosebumps! The whole song was simply impressive. I trust that it will be kept in the set list through the next concerts; I think we all would appreciate that.
They at least partly revived the “Free†version. That means that the originally sung high tunes at the second whispering part were also sung today. In the later Leiden version they were replaced by a very restrained keyboard sounds or omitted.
Salva Ma
Gorgeous, round “salva†bows by Taichi! In fact, the song was perfect every time in all of my four concerts. How do they do that?! It’s always a highlight!
Amazing Grace
Only Libera can rescue this song, and they beautifully do so. I enjoy looong solos by Rocco. I can only repeat myself begging that they save a recording with an extended solo by him in time. We need it. His tiny "Salve Regina" solo just can’t remain the only one … please, please.
Orinoco Flow
I suspect this song to be a crowd pleaser. I wouldn’t miss it, if it was missing.
Wayfaring Stranger
I love this very impressive song, always good for goosebumps. I didn’t notice a difference from my other concerts as to the performance; it’s a song that seems to be interpreted very well by Libera at any time. Amazing!
Smile
During this song something happened to me. I had never liked it in general, although I was able to enjoy the Libera version quite alright. But that night at the concert, I felt my previous reluctance finally melting down to zero, and the sudden awareness “I like it and I’m able to admit it†actually filled me with joy and peace and somehow relief as well. One of the most touching experiences in the concert and it still echoes in me.
Gabe just owns “Smileâ€. His voice sounded a bit rough during the first notes, which then vanished and he returned to the excellence I’m used to. I love, simply love so much the gently shimmering voices of the boys in this song.
Extra compliments to the wonderful, heart-warming duet by Gabe and Alessandro, which I have never enjoyed as much as today. Thank you so much, Libera! You made it. It was hard with this very piece, but you have won me over now.
Awaiting the encore …
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
Again, when hearing the first sounds from the piano, I couldn’t believe it.
What a gift! This particularly beautiful, thoughtful, loving song has been one of my favourite songs since my first listen. It means a lot to me to have received it live. Gabe and Leo sang it beautifully. Together with Robert at the piano, they moved me to tears with the song and made me forget everything around me (afterwards, I found myself somehow hanging in my seat ...).
And then … After the last piano sounds, there was a wonderful moment of complete silence maintained by the audience, before the applause began. Something that I will not forget and wished to have more often. But that doesn’t matter now; I simply was so glad that obviously everyone felt that any noise would have been out of place now, at least for this one precious moment. We may all have felt more or less the same during the song. Very moving indeed.
Exsultate
Flutist Eimear McGeown and percussionist Felix Higginbottom entered the stage and then there began the cheerfully swaying instrumental introduction of "In dulci jubilo".
True! I dare to allege that everybody in the audience had …. not expected this, and the exchange made at least two people in the audience very happy that night!
One second, I must fix something …
Exsultate In dulci jubilo
It was self-evident that a choir concert cannot end with a duet (let alone this song), so this time the lucky audience could safely look forward to a second encore. Also a fine feeling. “In dulci jubilo†was the other extreme to the trio before: full choir and orchestra now, no solo. Its light-hearted attitude in lyrics, arrangement and tempo somehow healed the wistful mood which the very serious “Do Not Stand†had left behind, bringing the joy back to us. And thus this Libera Christmas concert ended as it should be, letting their audience go home elated, cheerful, inspired!
Leo struck me throughout the whole evening. You can see how much he loves singing and being a part of Libera, he is all enthusiasm.
Infectious! Recalling the announcement videos for the US and photos as well, I’m sure that he must be highly talented at being an actor and, at the same time, he appears very authentic. Great combination!
I am very happy to say that the choir in this concert again was fabulous as well as were the musicians! Thank you to Libera and to all, who make Libera possible!
If I had to rank my concerts, it would result in: 1) Ely 2017 - 2) London 2016 - 3) London 2017 - 4) Vallendar. Which means nothing bad for this concert! It's only that London 2016 was simply perfect, Ely in April was even more perfect (math/numbers people, look away
), so it’s hardly possible to top these two or find a place between them.
P.S. When the boys presented Moose they mentioned that he had never been to San Damiano. It was the introduction to the following
San Damiano, but yet got me thinking about an Italy tour. They could do one, I find. Several good reasons for such a journey could be found, although the Moose one would already be enough, no?
P.P.S. The date of the Christmas concert 2018 will be more important for me than usual. Maybe someone of you can tell if it will more likely take place during the same week, which would mean: 30th November, or rather on 7th December?
Thank you very much for reading this
inundation review. My final official act in 2017.
Have a good 2018, all of you!
