The Song Company | Hark!
12 December, 2025, Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, NSW
In the large Events Space of Pier 2/3 of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, the rough wooden beams formed a framework for the Song Company’s last 2025 concert, Hark! Carefully curated by Artistic Directors Amy Moore (soprano) and Jessica O’Donoghue (mezzo soprano), the concert consisted of 5 different sections: Holy Mysteries; What the Shepherds saw; Mary: Mother; Christmas Joy and Looking Forward with Hope. The works therein were from different eras with different styles, but, being thematically related, blended into a meaningful whole. These sections were introduced by different members of the Song Company.
This was a performance with the six core members (Amy Moore, Jessica O’Donoghue, Susannah Lawergren (soprano), Timothy Reynolds (tenor), Hayden Barrington (baritone) and Andrew O’Connor (bass-baritone) at the top of their game – each an exceptional singer in their own right, blending into a harmonious whole.
Opening with Holy Mysteries, they sang Arvo Pärt’s Morgenstern from his 7 Magnificat Antiphons. This delicate prayer to Christ featured unusual harmonies and dissonances, typical of the composer. These were superbly performed, with Andrew O’Connor’s warm bass glowing through.
Amy Moore then introduced the section, explaining that Lachlan McDonald, who arranged the Basque Carol that they sang next, was a former member of the Song Company’s Apprentice Program. They sang harmoniously, blending their voices beautifully. This was followed by one of Poulenc’s exquisite motets for Christmas: O Magnum Mysterium, where Susannah’s beautiful voice soared above the rest.
She introduced the next section What the Shepherds saw, after the three women sang Alice Chance’s Fiat Lux – a lovely contemporary work with an intriguing interplay of voices. The other singers joined them for the pensive and gentle Shepherd’s Carol by Bob Chilcott, followed by Quem vidistis pastores dicite, another Christmas motet by Poulenc.The bracket ended with the almost romantic La Peregrinacion by Argentinian composer, Ariel Ramirez. It was arranged by Peter Knight from the King’s Singers with harmonic “oohs” and bell-like sound effects provided by Andrew. The effect was very Latin-American.
Mary: Mother was the third section, emphasising Mary’s motherhood. Gabriel Jackson’s O Virgo virignum, was sung by the men, with Tim’s tenor voice soaring over the others’ harmonies. Each of the different voices featured in similar fashion.
The ancient Ther is no rose of swych vertu was sung in a restrained manner by Amy, Jessica and Susannah. Ancient words set to contemporary composition featured in Oliver Tarney’s Balulalo, a lullaby to the baby Jesus. The close harmonies were exquisite! Amy and Jessica then continued in contemporary harmonies with Judith Weir’s Ave Regina caelorum.
The fourth section, Christmas Joy was full of joyful music, beginning with Poulenc’s fourth Christmas motet, Hodie Christus natus est. Although composed in the twentieth century, this had a Renaissance feeling to it, exuberantly performed by the singers. Reginald Jacques’ arrangement of the Old Normandy tune of Away in a Manger sounded even older. Although different to the popular tune by William James Kirkpatrick, it sounded just as sweet. Susannah sang an enchanting solo.
David Yardley’s This Holy tym sounded predictably Medieval (Yardley’s signature style) It was the Australian premiere, with Andrew playing the drum and Jessica the tambourine. Tim sang a great introduction to the song. The whole ensemble emphasised the joyous occasion by repeating “Be glad” frequently.
The section ended with a jazzy Christmas Medley by Take 6 (an extremely popular group of Gospel, Jazz, Pop or R&B artists). The Song Company rejoiced in the tight harmonies and really enjoyed this selection of popular Christmas songs, as did the audience.
Looking Forward with hope was the title of the last section, which opened with Poulenc’s Videntes Stellam, the third of his Christmas motets. The sopranos’ very high voices glittered like a starlit sky as the work began, remaining crystalline in the refrain. The words described the arrival of the three wise men.
The mysterious, magical feeling was retained in their performance of Joe Twist’s On the night train. They sang about the Australian bush seen froma train at dusk, as described by Henry Lawson in his poem. The rhythm of the train was suggested with Andrew subtly making bell-like sounds (e.g. “bim bam”). Jessica sang a beautiful solo, her mezzo-soprano voice perfect for the part.
Living up to the name of this section, The Song Company continued with Amy’s arrangement of Convidando esta la noche (the night is calling us) by Juan Garcia Zespedes. This Latin American Baroque tune was very lively, spiced up with drum and tambourine by Andrew and Jessica.
They finished with Ruth McCall’s take on We wish you a merry Christmas which was done in a variety of styles, with great emphasis on the “sh” sound for added humour.
After the riotous applause, The Song Company gave us more – a delightfully playful rendition of Jingle Bells, again in a variety of styles. Jessica rang real sleigh bells. They appeared to be really enjoying themselves, as did the audience.
After more applause we were all invited to chat to The Song Company. Many did so, expressing their appreciation of this great performance, which marked the end of an era.
