"The Holst Singers sing with a spellbinding sense of atmosphere and crystal-clear textures . . . supremely musical"
BBC Music Magazine
The Holst Singers are one of Britain's foremost choirs, described by the BBC as "a leading chorus on the international stage". Based in London, in addition to their busy concert diary they frequently broadcast on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3, and regularly record for leading classical labels. With the support of their President, James Bowman, and Musical Director, Stephen Layton, the choir has developed an interest in exploring new and neglected works as well as core choral repertoire. In concert the choir is renowned for dramatic and engaging performances, described by The Times as “interactive concert-going at its most revelatory”.
Recent CD releases include Ikon II, the long awaited sequel to Ikon (1997), a disc that immediately became a cult classic and a best-seller. Ikon II brings together a selection of Russian choral masterpieces in an extraordinary disc which is immediately enthralling. Recently reviewed on BBC Radio 3 Record Review, the disc was described as "impeccable... so, so well-conceived" and Jeremy Summerly, the guest-reviewer, commented on the choir's "phenomenal sound".
Other notable recordings include Veljo Tormis (Hyperion); The Tavener Collection (Decca) – which followed the critically acclaimed performances of which the Times commented "I don't think I shall hear singing this year more thrilling"; Schnittke's Choir Concerto (Hyperion); Ikon – including music by Pärt, Sviridov, Gorecki and Tchaikovsky; Gretchaninov's Vespers; and Over Hill, Over Dale – Vaughan Williams’ settings of Shakespeare songs and English folk songs (all Hyperion).
Recent concert highlights include the Scott Centenary Concert Tour with the City of London Sinfonia; performances celebrating Gabrieli’s 400th anniversary at Temple Church and Trinity College, Cambridge; collaboration with Imogen Heap on her highly acclaimed soundtrack to The Seashell and the Clergyman; performances in the CLoSer concert series at Village Underground and the Reverb Festival at the Roundhouse; and The Planets with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Recent touring includes Santiago da Compostela with the Hilliard Ensemble in Easter 2011 and Estonia in 2009. Future engagements include a charity gala performance of Mozart's Requiem in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK; choral evensong at Westminster Abbey; and Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark.
