Nocoré Ensemble delights in O Holy Night
Lowvelders who attended the Christmas concert at the Penryn Chapel on Saturday evening were treated to something very special indeed.
MBOMBELA – The newly formed Nocoré Ensemble, together with pianist Janette Rottcher, delighted the audience.
They performed favourites such as Mozart’s “Laudate dominum”, the traditional “Deck the halls”, and some new works such as Kim Arnesen’s “Even when He is silent”.
The Nocoré Ensemble is made up of 12 voices, sourced from Pretoria, Johannesburg, Potchefstroom and Mbombela, and only met on Saturday afternoon for one rehearsal before the concert.
However, those who did not know, would never have guessed. The performance was effortless and all the harmonies solid in their complexity.
One of the audience members, Felicia Lemmer, commented that only musicians would probably know what feat the Nocoré Ensemble achieved by singing such complex and gorgeous music, and without a conductor to boot.
Photo: Abré van Wyk | Abré’s figjamRottcher also really impressed on the piano, and her rendition of Chopin’s “Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante” drew a standing ovation from the audience.
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This was the last concert of the year hosted by the Lowveld Chamber Music Association, who really delivered some excellent productions this year, including How Great Thou Art, Carmen, their concert at Innibos, and the collaboration with Zanta Hofmeyr.
ALSO SEE: A story of love and jealousy at the Carmen opera
For more information about the association, contact Walter Fourie at lowveldchambermusic@gmail.com.
