Slava!

Reviews

I’d be happy to recommend this Just for the rarity of some of the repertoire, but this choir Is wonderful and deserves the accolades showered on it…they display a freshness and rhythmic alacrity that Is uncommon. They have been well coached In their diction as well. Opstad Is a gem among choral conductors and Inspires his young forces to give performances that many of their adult peers would do well to emulate. The sound Is clear and detailed and doesn’t sound overmlked.’  American Record Guide March 2018

‘These young voices bring a delightful freshness to this demanding repertoire. With its lean harmony, Stravinsky’s Mass for double choir and wind quintet is performed authentically as the composer indicated. Pendereckis highly complex and demanding Song of the Cherubim produces a memorable performance. There is much to savour here with delightful folksong arrangements, the first recording of Lukaszewskis Ubi caritas, and Kodaly s monumental final work Laudes Organi in praise of the organ. ’  ***** Choir and Organ March 2018

 Throughout this recording, and with the praise of his preceding recordings, it is clear that Opstad has created a vibrant musical ensemble and singing school with La Maitrise de Toulouse. Using the skills garnered from his own training as a chorister and organ scholar with England’s leading educational centers (including Bristol Cathedral, Oxford, and Cambridge), Opstad has fused the best qualities of the British and French choral traditions with this enterprise.’ American Choral Journal August 2019

‘It’s glorious, with clear diction and superb accompaniment. The young voices are ideally present, with solo parts taken by choir members… All brilliantly performed, and well-engineered too. theartsdesk.com September 2018

‘Mark Opstad is to be most warmly congratulated on achieving such very high standards of performance with his young voices. Not once did they sound as if they were under any pressure – immaculate tuning and ensemble, all taken as a norm. A thoroughly engaging and uplifting recording in every way. If I could give this six stars, I would!’  ***** Organists’ Review March 2018

‘It’s a pleasure to review another fine recording by La Maitrise de Toulouse, directed by its founder, Mark Opstad. All the music comes from Eastern Europe, with the youthful choir overcoming with great distinction such challenges as singing in Hungarian and Russian, not to mention a number of melodic complexities over a wide vocal range.’  Cathedral Music I 2018

‘A children’s choir to rival the finest in a splendid programme.’  MusicWeb June 2018