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Simon Halsey, conductor

Reviews


"The Edinburgh Royal Choral Union looked and sounded jubilant…in a performance as professional and slick as any you would wish to hear…under the tart and efficient direction of Simon Halsey. This was a performance which carefully avoided any sensationalism or attention-grabbing dependence on the big numbers. It was operatic in concept. Halsey gathered together the various chunks logically, moulding these into slick and meaningful extended theatrical scenes. The whole of Part II was full of energy and passion, not least in the final, uninterrupted leap into the famous Hallelujah chorus. The concluding Amen was a satisfying climax to one of the most tasteful performances of the work I have ever heard."
Handel Messiah, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union/Usher Hall
Kenneth Walton, The Scotsman, 3 January 2001

"The performance possesses high vocal qualities, not least because of the choir European Voices, magnificently prepared by Simon Halsey, which also works hard on its dramatic role."
Rameau Les Boréades, European Voices, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sir Simon Rattle/Salzburg Festival
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, May 25 1999

"The chorus of European Voices also plays a decisive role. Their flexibility and dramatic intelligence supersede by far the ability and willingness of an old-fashioned opera chorus."
Rameau Les Boréades, European Voices, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sir Simon Rattle/Salzburg Festival
Peter Cossé, Der Standard, May 25 1999

"…the singers of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus under Simon Halsey rose heroically to the occasion."
Szymanowski King Roger, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Sir Simon Rattle
Roderic Dunnett, BBC Music Magazine September 1999

"Simon Halsey…had moulded receptive voices into a pliable, cohesive force of eloquence."
Beethoven Symphony No. 9, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Sir Simon Rattle
BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall
Geoffrey Norris, The Daily Telegraph 17 August 1998

"The City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus delivered Schiller’s words with quite startling fervour."
Beethoven Symphony No. 9, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Sir Simon Rattle
BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall
Andrew Clements, The Guardian 17 August 1998

"Here we thrilled to a forward immediacy of tone, spectacular yet unforced direction, gripping dynamic sensitivity and an enviable command of intonation."
Mahler Symphony No. 2, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Sir Simon Rattle Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post 31 August 1998

"The CBSC was keen, incisive, quick of reflex…one faith, one voice, landing to perfection on the final chord of the cadence each and every time."
Britten War Requiem
The Independent March 1997