Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble 23/06/09 - St Paul’s Cathedral, London

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Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble 23/06/09 - St Paul’s Cathedral, London

Friday, 10 July 2009 11:41

For those unaware of this unique project, the fusion of early Gregorian chant and a jazz saxophonist in St Paul’s Cathedral may seem like a blasphemous musical experiment.

However, it was this collaboration between the Hilliard Ensemble, one of the world's finest vocal chamber groups; and Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, who in 2004 produced Officium, ECM’s biggest-selling album of all time and one of the most popular crossover albums of the 90’s.

Last night saw the Hilliard Ensemble's Officium programme return to London with new material from throughout Europe, including works from Scotland's James MacMillan and Estonia's Arvo Pärt.

St Paul’s Cathedral proved the perfect host for such a profound and sensitive performance and gave an acoustic freedom of which the musicians made full use. Distant echoes of a single baritone chant echoed from the back of the Cathedral long before the Hilliard Ensemble could be seen walking ceremoniously through the aisles towards the raised stage at the front. The audience sat transfixed as the close harmonies, sublime unresolved dissonances, drones and weaving vocal lines unfolded before them.

Several minutes of A cappella bliss passed before Jan Gabarek’s distinct tone began to whisper through the audience. His concise phrases and generous use of silence allowed the cutting edged tones of his soprano saxophone to linger eerily.

Garbarek (renowned for his affiliations through jazz, classical and world music) drew on his improvisational skills and focused classical tone to deliver wide disjunct leaps in pitch and piercing flourishes of colour, which complemented the fluid vocal chants flawlessly.

Applause after such a beautiful opening seemed out of place and the audience remained silent in fear of breaking the tension. The atmosphere was only relaxed much later on when, after nodding gently to the Hilliard Ensemble to mark the end of a piece, Garbarek let out a smile of appreciation. The audience responded with resounding applause.

The Hilliard Ensemble walked freely around the Cathedral several times, sometimes leaving a soloist on stage. Garberek continued in similar fashion with intermittent modal lines and, even when playing tenor saxophone, never overpowered the vocal group.

By the end of the night, resounding applause had become a standing ovation and, after a short encore, the group bowed graciously, leaving the echoes of the audiences’ appreciation to fill the Cathedral.

Jan Garberek and the Hilliard Ensemble is undoubtedly a highlight of The City of London Festival, which for three weeks each midsummer revitalises the cultural life of the City and concludes with London Symphony Orchestra at St Paul’s Cathedral on 9th July (free events continue until 7th August).

Garbarek fans eagerly await the autumn release of his live album featuring a new jazz quartet and, judging by last night’s performance, they will not be disappointed.

Luke Pinkstone

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