Review by Fatima Moreira Norton
St Andrew’s Church, Alwalton
October 9th 2021
This was a very special day for us. We were back to St Andrew’s Church, the venue of our last, pre-pandemic, concert in March 2020 to listen and support Classical Reflection. We were back to this beautiful Church to support once again Classical Reflection in their first, post-pandemic, live concert.
As lovers of the classical crossover genre, Classical Reflection, a classical crossover duo, formed by Naomi and Hannah, twin sisters, based in our home County, could not escape us.
We have been fans and supporters, for some years and discovered them as guests featuring in other shows, but our first Classical Reflection Concert was the release of their album, The Vow, back in 2015. Obviously, we were looking forward to supporting them after the crazy 18 harrowing months for all of us, but especially for the arts and performance world. The expectations and excitement were running high.
As non-experts, fans, and lovers of classical crossover, who have watched Classical Reflection a few times before, but also other singers of the genre, we have come to expect talent and top-quality performances and Classical Reflection never disappoints. However, we were again blown away from the first note sung by Naomi and Hannah.
A totally new show, new lighting, new sound system, new lineup. The quiet lockdown time was, definitely, put to good use by the ladies.
As I walked in, I immediately noticed something new, great colour changing lighting, setting the atmosphere.
High-quality sound system in the always great acoustics of old churches, a perfect blend of modern technology and old architecture was the perfect backdrop for the pure, crystal clear voices and perfect harmonies created by Naomi and Hannah.
An inspirational lineup, with some Classical Reflection classics, and some new versions, to gift the audience a well-balanced Concert, up-tempo and slow, joy and pensive, laughter and tears: When You Believe, Climb Every Mountain, In His Eyes, I Dreamed a Dream, The Prayer, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, You’ve Got a Friend, You Raise Me Up, My Heart Will Go On, Bella Notte, Arms of The Angel, Wishing you Were Somehow Here Again, If Only, Nessun Dorma, uplifted my spirits, even if one of my all-time favourites, Wishing you Were Somehow Here Again, moved me to tears as it brought memories of my late parents, I deeply wish they were somehow here again and You’ve Got a Friend made me smile and sway. All the songs in between kept me in awe, a captive audience member.
Finally, a mention to 5 guests.
Thanks to modern technology Wendy Carr and Karl Loxley made an appearance, or their voices did, joining Classical Reflection in two beautiful duets, two beautiful lockdown collaborations, respectively In His Eyes and If Only.
A special mention to Naomi and Hannah for giving the stage to young talent. A display of their selfless nature, but also a credit to their expertise as singing teachers and voice coaches. The chosen were, Georgie, Chanel, and Sophie and what beautiful musical moments they created for us. Looking forward to more from these three.
Keep singing Classical Reflection, we will be there.
