The combined forces of the Rodolfus Choir and the Philharmonia Voices were simply superb, capable of full-toned pianissimi and earth-shaking fortissimi.
Seen and Heard International, 29 September 2015
The young voices of the Rodolfus Choir and Philharmonia Voices soared with seeming effortlessness, as did the soloists, above all soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen. The gods seemed to be smiling on this performance, which at the end touched the sublime.
The Telegraph, 28 September 2015
Our hearts soared upwards as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony reached the ‘Ode to Joy’. Much of the wow factor stemmed from the youthful chorus, laced with Philharmonia Voices members but dominated by Ralph Allwood’s Rodolfus Choir, always as energising as a shot of tequila.
The Times, 28 September 2015
Thank you so much for a wonderful concert. Like most people of my age I have lost count of how many times I have both heard and sung the Messiah. However, I reckon that was about the best. I thought the contrast between reflective and sensitive solo singing and dramatic choruses was memorable. The choir were on cracking form and I could tell from my seat in the balcony that you were enjoying it too, Ralph!
Audience member, Handel’s Messiah, 4 December 2013
Unspeakably beautiful… a truly memorable performance. The Rodolfus Choir rise above the technical challenges to convey a sense of radiance and elation that is indelibly memorable… marvellous. Exemplary in every respect
Gramophone
One of my favourite outfits. Arrangements are all first-rate… everything from a Chopin Etude to the Sugar Plum Fairy… all perfectly sung.
Choir & Organ
I thought that the choir’s performance in Charleston during the summer was one of the best choral concerts I have ever attended.
Trevor Weston, Ph. D, Assistant Professor of Music, College of Charleston
Deeply moving and richly satisfying interpretations… delighted the audience with imaginative programming and set the highest standards in unaccompanied choral performance… Ralph Allwood, economical of gesture but in total control of every nuance, balance and dynamics.
Eastern Daily Press, Norwich
The 400th anniversary of Tallis’s death has been overshadowed by the Tippett centenary, yet the Tudor polyphonist is arguably the greater composer. Ralph Allwood and The Rodolfus Choir drawn from young singers of both sexes who have participated in Allwood’s summer schools have assembled a programme of his finest motets, anthems and hymns, without resorting to Spem in alium. Their radiant reading of Videte miraculum is a technical triumph, but the most moving performance is of Thou wast, O God: an intimate hymn, and the inspiration for Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
Anna Picard, Independent on Sunday
The sound of the Rodolfus Choir is like that of no other UK chamber choir that I can think of. It’s fresh, because all the members are under 25. It is wonderfully blended. It is fantastically in tune and very expressive, with a wide range of dynamics, sensitively employed. What does that leave out?
Oh yes, balance – and that too is superb. And it has a quite extraordinary flexibility.
Clare Stevens, The Singer
The choir are young sounding, performing Tallis’s music with a concentrated, passionate intensity which impressed me. The sopranos are recognisably female but sing with a lovely, bright, forward, boyish tone… The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in the Dorian mode were written for Edward’s reign, for the newly instituted service of Evening Prayer. Like his anthems from the period, the settings are economical and clarity of text is paramount. This is one of the earliest paired settings of Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis and is beautifully crafted. The group’s performances highlight the beautiful simplicity of these pieces… [all pieces] are lovely, well crafted performances by a choir of young choristers. This youth brings the advantages of clarity of tone and texture.
Robet Hughill, MusicWeb International
Outstanding by any standards… Sheer pleasure.
BBC Music Magazine
Choral singing of the highest quality… a wondrous presentation.
One could not ask for better performances.
Choir & Organ
The finest young singers in Britain, all products of the elite Eton Choral Course, and conducted by its founder Ralph Allwood… they are set apart by the force of their expression, power, and subtlety… impeccable credentials.
Church Times
What an outstanding Choral Evensong. One of the best, if not THE best, I have heard for a long time. The music and choir were superb and the whole service was inspirational. Credit to all concerned and the time spent in preparation and rehersal resulted in a serice which was outstandingly spiritual. What a way to start the New Year.
BBC Radio 3 listener
Fabulous evening @ExeterCathedral with @RodolfusChoir and @ralphallwood. Rare combination of technical brilliance and joyous energy.
Audience member, Exeter Cathedral