City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus / Elgar
"In all three works, a large share of the responsibility for driving home the ecstatic high points falls on the Chorus. Happily, the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus lived up to the enviable reputation it has won under the long-term guidance of Simon Halsey. Augmented by the BBC National Chorus of Wales and members of the City of Birmingham Choir, it rose magnificently to every challenge."
The Telegraph, June 2007
"The weekend's heroes, however, were the enlarged chorus, prepared by Simon Halsey: precision, passion, pure, clear delivery."
The Independent, June 2007
Berlin Philharmonic / Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem
"The Berlin Radio Chorus, trained by Rattle's old colleague in Birmingham, Simon Halsey, sing with restrained passion and beautifully support Rattle's conjecture that this piece is as much a private as a public statement."
Gramophone Choral Award 2007
"Thanks to the marvellous transparency of the playing Rattle encourages from his Berlin players, and the outstanding choral singing, this is a modern version to reckon with. Simon Halsey, Rattle's chorus director in Birmingham, appears, on this evidence, to have revitalised choral singing in the German capital. Rattle's Brahms really glows."
The Times, March 2007
Berlin Philharmonic / Ives, Shostakovich
"…the Radio Choir (trained by Simon Halsey) performed under Sakari Oramo with intensity and flexibility."
Neues Deutschland, January 2005
Minnesota Orchestra & Chorale / Handel Messiah
“...acclaimed choral conductor Simon Halsey led those four soloists, the orchestra and the Minnesota Chorale in an interpretation suffused with majesty and richly realized depth. Growing more emotionally engaging by the aria, the evening proved every bit as rewarding as you would expect a world-class collection of Handel practitioners to make it...the Minnesota Chorale responded marvelously to Halsey's charismatic direction.”
Pioneer Press, 9 December 2004
Music Director of CurlewRiver at BBC Proms
“…the piece unfolded with absorbing power, eight excellent instrumentalists casting aural light and shade on the austere plainchart that dominates the vocal writing.”
Evening Standard, 29 July 2004
“Musically it was a secret policeman’s ball, with strong vocal performances all round, but especially from Mark Wilde as the Madwoman and Rodney Clarke as the Ferryman, and the BCMG players captured that semi-improvised feel that Britten intended through his conductorless freedom of movement.”
The Daily Telegraph, 30 July 2004
“…it was also musically convincing; a moving and imaginative revelation of Britten’s most daring work of music theatre.”
The Guardian, 30 July 2004
“…one of the most powerful Proms experiences I’ve enjoyed. … [I was impressed] by BCMG’s beautifully detailed delivery of Britten’s transparent score, by the singing and acting of all concerned.”
The Independent on Sunday, 1 September 2004
“All five of the Birmingham Opera Company’s lead singers were excellent, notably the rising young tenor Mark Wilde in the central, cross-dressing role of the Madwoman. Halsey’s players excelled. Those listening on Radio 3 must have enjoyed a rare treat.”
The Observer, 1 September 2004
CBSC & LSC / Mahler Symphony 7
"The City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, the London Symphony Chorus, the City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus and the Toronto Children's Chorus, near-impeccable in attack, intonation and blend, were magnificent."
Evening Standard, 7 June 2004
"The City of Birmingham and London Symphony Choruses sang with precision and apparently limitless reserves of physical and emotional stamina. And it was wonderful to see as well as hear the enthusiasm of the City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus and Toronto Children's Chorus, at one point cupping their hands to their mouths to make themselves heard through the tidal roar of one of Mahler's biggest climaxes. To get well over a hundred teenagers and younger children to sing German and medieval Latin with such precision and gusto is no small achievement."
The Independent 9 June 2004
Berlin Radio Choir / 25th Anniversary Concert
“It was not simply concentrated volume, but a fine art of song, tender pianos and orchestral colour which made the concert, directed by Simon Halsey and Daniel Reuss a pinnacle of choral singing”
Der Tagesspiegel, 17 February 2004
Netherlands Radio Choir / Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater / Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
“It is incomprehensible why this work is not performed more often, as this Stabat Mater has an ethereal beauty. The real star role was reserved for the Netherlands Radio Choir, which related Szymanowski’s Slavonic drama with crystal clear, angelic singing.”
Parool, 12 January 2004
Berlin Radio Choir
“The Radio Choir under the direction of Simon Halsey, showed good form throughout – not just in this extremely complicated premiere: excellent intonation and almost perfect balance with alert attention to all the rhythmical difficulties.”
Leipziger Volkszeitung, 20 March 2003
Edinburgh Royal Choral Union / Handel Messiah
“The Edinburgh Royal Choral Union looked and sounded jubilant…in a performance as professional and slick as any you would wish to hear…under the tart and efficient direction of Simon Halsey. This was a performance which carefully avoided any sensationalism or attention-grabbing dependence on the big numbers. It was operatic in concept. Halsey gathered together the various chunks logically, moulding these into slick and meaningful extended theatrical scenes. The whole of Part II was full of energy and passion, not least in the final, uninterrupted leap into the famous Hallelujah chorus. The concluding Amen was a satisfying climax to one of the most tasteful performances of the work I have ever heard.”
The Scotsman, January 2001
European Voices & Simon Rattle / Salzburg Festival
“The performance possesses high vocal qualities, not least because of the choir European Voices, magnificently prepared by Simon Halsey, which also works hard on its dramatic role.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, May 1999
“The chorus of European Voices also plays a decisive role. Their flexibility and dramatic intelligence supersede by far the ability and willingness of an old-fashioned opera chorus.”
Der Standard, May 1999
CBSO Chorus & Simon Rattle / BBC Proms / Beethoven Symphony No.9
“Simon Halsey…had moulded receptive voices into a pliable, cohesive force of eloquence.”
The Daily Telegraph, August 1998