Monthly Archives: August 2016

Three Choirs: the summing up

So now looking back at the whole enterprise – was it worth while?  Definitely.  From what I’ve heard it sounded like I picked a particularly vintage year in which to be involved.   The BBC really missed something by not … Continue reading

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3 Choirs (7): Mahler’s Eighth Symphony

Phew! Finally I get near the end of writing up my Three Choirs activities. After a rest day on the Thursday the final outing for the Chorus (and large numbers of others) was Mahler 8. In preparation, I tried not … Continue reading

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The Three Choirs evensongs

I went to most of the Choral Evensongs at the Three Choirs Festival. These of course are the real Three Choirs – the Cathedral choirs of Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford – and it’s clear that for many festival-goers the evensongs … Continue reading

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3 Choirs (6): Carmina Burana

I promised to review my opinion of Carmina Burana after the performance. I realise I’ve been unfair on the piece in at least one respect. I alleged it was unvocal and it isn’t – even that top C is well … Continue reading

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3 Choirs (5): the Grande Messe des Morts

Confronted with this piece, what can one do (apart from try to conserve some voice for Mahler 8 later in the week)? I’ve said enough about it in the past, so I needn’t spend much time describing it. It seemed … Continue reading

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3 Choirs (4): Dona Nobis Pacem

Dona Nobis Pacem was the discovery of the Festival for me, as previously it had only been a name. It is one of those pieces invoking peace, like Give Unto the Lord or Friede auf Erden, which sadly got overtaken by events … Continue reading

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Stile Antico get dirty

A perk of being in the Three Choirs Festival Chorus is that you can claim unsold seats for concerts in the Cathedral.   Strictly speaking, these should be in the quire, in other words without a view, but when some … Continue reading

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