Monthly Archives: December 2008

2008 and 2009’s resolutions

Back again in the final hours of 2008 to review the year just past. 2008 would have done well to live up to 2007, and unfortunately it didn’t, although there were quite a few highlights from my point of view. … Continue reading

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No power

I had doubts about arranging a choir weekend for 27-28 December, because I wasn’t sure how many people would be able or willing to interrupt their family Christmases for a couple of days. However I needn’t have worried, and members … Continue reading

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carols and brass, but separate

I fitted in a second carol service before Christmas, at a local village church. This was rather shorter than the full 9 lessons, and we sang a few choir items and some standard hymns. Some were new to me, including … Continue reading

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100 years of atonality

After the centenary celebrations for Messiaen and Elliot Carter, another centenary has passed unremarked: that of the first performance of Schoenberg’s second string quartet, which fell today. Surely a notable date in musical history, and worth commemorating unless you reject … Continue reading

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9 lessons with brass

I was free to sing in the 9 lessons service this year and found a couple of arrangements I hadn’t encountered before: I saw three ships by Andrew Carter and He smiles within his cradle by David Willcocks. I was … Continue reading

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The Lion, Reading

Not Kingsley but the title of a movement in True and False Unicorn, part of the Chandos Singers’ tribute to Finnish independence day. We began with Freedom on Saint Nicholas’ Day by Hyvönen, a composer whose career sadly ended when … Continue reading

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a Messiah and a carol service

I’ve got a bit behind with performances. Just before Advent began we had a come-and-sing Messiah in church, for which I joined the chorus. This was an informal performance so we could wrap up well and I dug out my … Continue reading

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Name that tune (1)

The tune notated in this PDF was used as dance music during my daughter’s school play. I heard it again on a compilation tape as background music to the office Christmas party. We would like to know what it is! … Continue reading

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