Country

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United Kingdom

Genre

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Film

 

Crouch End Festival Chorus (CEFC) is a classical music ensemble based in London, England. Founded in 1984, the choir has become one of the most respected and accomplished choral groups in the UK, known for its high-quality performances of classical and contemporary choral music. The choir was founded by David Temple, a conductor and music educator who had previously worked with the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Temple wanted to create a community choir that would bring together amateur singers from the local area to perform challenging and rewarding choral music. The choir's name comes from the Crouch End area of London, where it was originally based. The area has a rich cultural history and is known for its vibrant arts scene, which made it an ideal location for a new choir. From its early days, CEFC attracted a diverse group of singers, ranging from experienced choral singers to complete beginners. The choir quickly gained a reputation for its high standards of performance and its commitment to musical excellence. Over the years, CEFC has performed a wide range of choral music, from traditional classical works to contemporary pieces by living composers. The choir has collaborated with many leading orchestras and conductors, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Sir Simon Rattle. One of the highlights of CEFC's early years was its performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem at the Royal Festival Hall in 1989. The performance was conducted by David Temple and featured soloists including Philip Langridge and Felicity Lott. The choir received critical acclaim for its performance, which was described as "powerful" and "moving." In the years that followed, CEFC continued to build its reputation as one of the UK's leading choral ensembles. The choir performed regularly at major venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican Centre, and collaborated with many leading conductors and soloists. In 2000, CEFC was invited to perform at the BBC Proms, one of the world's most prestigious classical music festivals. The choir performed a program of choral works by Vaughan Williams, including his Sea Symphony and Dona Nobis Pacem. The performance was conducted by Richard Hickox and featured soloists including Bryn Terfel and Sally Matthews. The choir received a standing ovation from the audience and was praised for its "rich and powerful" sound. In 2005, CEFC was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the UEFA Champions League Final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. The choir performed a specially commissioned piece by composer Tolga Kashif, which was broadcast to millions of viewers around the world. The performance was a major highlight for the choir and helped to raise its profile on the international stage. In recent years, CEFC has continued to perform at major venues and festivals around the UK and abroad. The choir has also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including a CD of choral works by John Tavener and a live recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 with the London Symphony Orchestra. Today, CEFC is led by conductor David Temple and has around 150 members. The choir continues to attract singers from a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels, and is committed to promoting the joy and beauty of choral music to audiences around the world.

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