I rejoined Birmingham Conservatoire Camerata for a concert in St Andrew’s Church, Cheddar later in the week. This was sacred and secular choral music loosely grouped by themes and interspersed with some solo items.
There were a couple of pieces I’d heard others perform but never sung myself before: MacMillan’s Strathclyde motet O Radiant Dawn and Barber’s To be sung on the water. We repeated some of the music we sang on Tuesday in Wells, and a piece written by one of our conductors for his wedding.
Most of the other pieces were classics of the repertoire such as Finzi’s God is Gone Up, Haydn’s Insanae et vanae curae, Bainton’s And I saw a new heaven. Secular pieces included Ireland’s The Hills and Elgar’s curious My love dwelt in a Northern land. Where do you suppose this land is meant to be? Scotland? Scandinavia? The beloved was female in the original poem, and I think must have changed sex so that the sopranos become the ones telling the story.
Much of this music took me right back to my own student days when I first encountered it. I don’t think I’ve sung Holst’s Turn Back, O Man since then. Holst in hobnailed boot mode, and with a text by someone whose inspiration ran out halfway though each line!
It was only over a drink at the end that I learned that Barry Rose, who has retired to a neighbouring village, had been in the audience.