Mozart with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 17th February 2014     Last night the Boys and Men of All Saints joined the Northampton Bach Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Mozart’s Requiem under the baton of the Chorus Master of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Renato Balsadonna.     The Boys and Men are no stranger to performing Mozart’s music in both service and concert; last July they gave a performance with orchestra of Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and have been performing Mozart’s Requiem in its liturgical context for a couple of years. In both the earlier and this all-Mozart concert, the Piano Concerto featured was that commonly known as Elvira Madigan; in July it was former Organ Scholar, Stephen Meakins, performing, but last night we had Alexandra Dariescu, one of BBC Music Magazine’s ‘Rising Stars’. A splendid performance was given – both times! – but Mr Meakins’ own cadenzas were our favourites! After a short interval we were into business. We had worked with Signor Balsadonna in two rehearsals in the week leading up to the concert, so we had a clear understanding of the passion he had for the text and music alike. We did well: Sr. Balsadonna wrote in an e-mail to us after the concert:   I am very pleased the audience enjoyed it, more important that we have been able to convey a message through the performance. The audience were clearly very moved by the concert, and stunned by the force of our first entry in Rex tremendae and by the stillness we brought to the intimate moments – Lacrimosa was a highlight, as was the singing of the soloists in the Benedictus. Sr. Balsadonna went on to write:   I want to say how much I appreciated the commitment and the passionate engagement of the chorus. I really felt they took with the greatest seriousness everything I have asked and they delivered with an amazing energy , togetherness and conviction. I was impressed and moved! This is the fourth concert the Choirs have given with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (two Christmas spectaculars, a performance of Fauré’s Requiem with Owain Arwel Hughes, and last night’s Mozart) … we wonder what will be on the cards next? Not only are the Boys looking forward to the next concert, but the next opportunity for a pizza dinner – our 36 singers demolished no fewer than 26 large pizzas!!!