The Vox concert “Arise and Wake!” at the Cathedral Church of Christ the King last Saturday evening was a sacred choral program for Advent, built around the Missa gaudeamus of Tomas Luis de Victoria.

The eight voice choir Vox have developed a solid reputation for performing sacred and secular works with imaginative programming.

The voice blending and resulting textures give Vox its distinctive colour and appeal. The complex counterpoint of Victoria’s mass was well contrasted with the more chordal textures of some of the shorter works.

The precision of intonation in the 20th century or contemporary works, especially the “Canticles of Advent” by Australian George Palmer, made some quite challenging music sound comfortable.

“What ailes my dear”, with an excellent solo from soprano Alison Ho, delivered a most sublime ending.

The wonderful arrangement of “Veni, veni Emmanuel” by Kodaly, which closed the concert, summarised much of what the concert was about.

This particular setting of the well-known Christmas carol pays homage to tradition with considerable flair and colour.

It also highlighted the ease in which Vox can move between Renaissance, Baroque and more contemporary styles with authenticity.