The Rodolfus Choir's most recent appearance as part of Bath's Sing for Life festival has garnered high critical acclaim in the local press. The choir performed an eclectic programme ranging from Tallis to Whitacre on Saturday 2 May in the magnificant setting of Bath Abbey. Peter Lloyd Williams writes the following review:

“This remarkable choir – just 20 singers, all under 25 – is selected by conductor Ralph Allwood from the Summer Choral Courses held each year at Eton College.

Among their objectives are the promotion of choral music and the achievement of excellence.

In this sense, then, they are special – dare I say elite – singers, and Bath's own Grenville Jones is one of the trustees of the Rodolfus Trust, where his promotional flair will be valuable in bringing their music to an even wider audience.

And on the evidence of this concert, their already burgeoning reputation is well deserved.

The first half of the programme ranged from Tallis to Parry, a span of 300 years, and the opening Tallis motet was sung antiphonally in four groups.

I particularly enjoyed Lotti's Crucifixus, beautifully phrased and plangent, a delectable Schubert Litany, arranged by the conductor, Bruckner's Christus factus est, and, to finish Parry's great hymn of triumph, I was Glad, with a quite magnificent organ accompaniment from David Goode.

There might have been 50 or 60 singers, such was the sheer volume of sound, of quite superb quality, with a soprano line most conductors would die for, young fresh voices in full bloom, scaling the heights with fearless confidence.

The tenors were especially effective too, and the whole ensemble sound was balanced, expressive and beautifully controlled.

The second half was 20th century and contemporary music, Jonathan Dove, Tavener's Song for Athene – well done the basses, you sustained the low drone to splendid effect – Howell's Te Deum gracefully shaded, an exquisite Eric Whitacre piece, I Thank you God, Rutter's The Lord Bless you and keep you, very vocal and underrated, sung with great feeling, and finally, a David Willcocks choral setting of Vidor's famous Toccata, called simply Sing, which they did with tremendous panache and energy, the organ again in fine form.

David Goode, the head of keyboard at Eton College, gave us two satisfyingly contrasted works: Bach's Art of Fugue and Messiaen's Transport de Joie, splendidly played with great technical skill, using all the colours of the Klais organ, a rare treat.

A quite exceptionally talented combination of young musicians: come again soon.”

This article originally appeared on thisisbath.co.uk.