Music / “As A Flower Unfurls”, Luminescence Chamber Singers. At All Saint’s Anglican Church, Ainslie, October 22. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

SYMBOLS of spring offer hope, promise and rebirth. With music from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary classics, this concert blossomed with the essence of renewal.

The performers in the Luminescence Chamber Singers were AJ America, mezzo soprano; Lucien Fischer, baritone; Veronica Milroy, soprano; Rachel Mink, soprano; Alasdair Stretch, bass and Dan Walker, tenor.

Opening with an anonymous work from c. 1250, titled “Sumer Is Icumen In”, the six performers appeared from different areas of the church one at a time singing this lovely ancient song. It made a vibrant theatrical start.

Another early work followed. Then jumping forward a few centuries to 1591, the delightful song “Ecco che’l ciel à noi” by Luca Marenzio. Its use of polyphony was particularly catchy and profound.

The combination and quality of these six voices make everything they sing sound authentic no matter what period the music comes from. Luminescence also handles any style of music with ease and panache. Knowing how to entertain an audience through their finely crafted vocal and stage presence qualities is something they do best. They play with lyrics, timing and expression. An audience never knows what might come, but they are assured that, with Luminescence, it will be of the highest quality.

Shifting to a work written in 1945, “Les Feuilles Mortes”, aka “Autumn Leaves”, by Joseph Kosma, arranged by Roland Peelman, this popular tune sung in French, hit a mood suitable to a late-night French café. It just melted.

Two works from a vocal suite titled “Lake” by Leah Blankendaal came next. About emotional bonding, set to poems by Claire Nashar, these contemporary works held a quality similar to a soundscape, but with affecting vocal qualities. They used the spatial ambience of the church to great effect. While sounding complex, the compositions were transcendent and highly original.

“Syreeni” from “Red Dirt Hymns”, by Andrew Ford, was a short, lush work that harmoniously crossed a lot of territory. It made a strong impact.

From a text by Michael Leunig, “No Sooner” by James Wade, the singers sang out the sensitive lyrics through a poignant and delicate setting.

After a Swedish folk song by Frida Johansson, and another poem from Leunig, set by Robert Davidson, “Let it all Unravel”, which was to die for, the final work, “The Seed” by Aurora” arranged by Dan Walker made a bright and profound finale to a glorious concert.

This last work summed up the beauty of Luminescence. The unity achieved through their distinctive voices makes them not just a local, but a national treasure that creates fascinating programs that never fail to move an audience.