Published: 24 November, 2011
by ALFIE GRANGER-HOWELL

There is an abundance of rich, enticing choral music among the French repertoire, though much of it is often overlooked.

The Camden Chamber Choir sought to address this by giving well-deserved attention to some of these under-performed works at its concert on Saturday at St Mary-the-Virgin, Primrose Hill.

Pieces by lesser-known composers such as Mouton, Marais and Goudimel stood alongside those of more familiar names: Saint-Saëns, Couperin, Fauré and others.

The choir performed with passion and conviction, all the while maintaining a cohesive performance and showing technical flair.

The ensemble balanced the polyphonic lines of the earlier works with ease and the soaring melodies of the later Romantic works were full of emotion.

The pieces were performed in the chronological order of  composition, which provided a pleasing arc to the evening, encouraging the listener to consider the evolution of the styles.

Occasional instrumental works punctuated the programme, offering additional interest and variation.

Musical director Peter Lea-Cox led the choir and soloists with vitality, simultaneously providing flawless accompaniment on harpsichord and piano.

The Fauré pieces were perhaps a particular highlight of the evening, with soloists Jim Wills and Stefanie Heichelheim offering accomplished and moving interpretations.