Last updated 05:30, Friday, 18 July 2008

Voices of the North, Carlisle Cathedral, SundayThe rediscovery of an original musical manuscript must seem like a dream come true, especially for Voices of the North under the director of Jolyon Dodgson.

This choir of 16 mixed voices gave a fine performance of the north German composer Heinrich Schutz’s setting of Psalm 119.

Schutz wrote this music, lost more than once since his death, in his mid-80s, knowing it to be his last work on earth.

Those with the slightest inkling of church music will know how long this psalm is!

The singers were positioned in two groups as a double choir, enhancing every antiphonal effect in detail. Good ensemble, blend, balance of voices and intonation contributed to a splendidly dramatic sound, truly resonant in the magnificent building.

In contrast, certain very moving sections were presented with the singers arranged into four quartets.

This added still more to the quality and blend of voices.

The entire performance, sung a capella, was quite spell-binding – a great tribute to the researchers, to the singers and to their conductor.

ALAN WILCOCK