I am now finding out just how well I know (or don’t) the Three Choirs pieces, and so how much work I need to do on them. The pieces for the six main concerts divide neatly into three pairs in this respect. Firstly the Berlioz and Mahler, both of which I’ve performed within the last two years. (Not that this means they don’t need looking at too, especially as I’m performing both from editions I haven’t used before).
Then there are two pieces that are better known to those around me than they are to me. Carmina Burana seems to be falling into place, especially as most of the other singers have performed it very recently. Lots of repetition and unlike Vaughan Williams no sudden startling changes of key, in fact few changes of key of any kind. My fellow singers are also collectively familiar with Elijah. I have performed this once before, when I was a student (and so probably with little rehearsal) and I was quite unsure how much I’d remember. I had dim blurry memories of the piece, as if I were looking up at it from the bottom of a swimming pool; but when we sing it I am more confident than I expect, so it must have lodged in the memory to some extent.
Finally, two pieces that are new to most of the choir, including me. I obtained a copy of Dona Nobis Pacem earlier this year and started to learn it soon after performing the Sea Symphony, while Vaughan Williams was still in my system. I find it rather easier to learn than the symphony, perhaps because VW’s style had evolved in the meantime into one I was more familiar with from other pieces.
Where I come adrift though is The Kingdom. I tried to take part in a performance that never happened a few years ago, but it never got even to the rehearsal stage. I’ve been through the score, and it seemed straightforward and even a bit on the dull side, but I realise I’ve underestimated the piece. The tempo is very fluid and along with the notes you have to be prepared for frequent changes of speed. Clearly, as with the Vaughan Williams, Elgar’s style had moved on significantly since Gerontius.