Author Archives: vhk10

2025 round-up

Posted on January 1, 2026 by vhk10

2025 was an odd year, both for what it contained and for what it didn’t. The outstanding feature was the two overseas choir tours in quick succession, with Bristol Choral to Latvia and Gloucester Choral to Transylvania. They just happened … Continue reading →

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Advent and Christmas 3: Rutter-tide in St David’s

Posted on December 26, 2025 by vhk10

We went as usual to the Nine Lessons and Carols in St David’s Cathedral. There was more John Rutter than usual, probably because as already mentioned he has a major birthday this year. It included what I think is one … Continue reading →

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Advent and Christmas 2: inclusive carols, the hospital lobby and Jethro Tull

Posted on December 19, 2025 by vhk10

My second tranche of seasonal music began with an inclusive service at church for our Open Table Network congregation. This began and ended with some appropriate ‘songs from the shows’, which was for me a welcome chance to dip into … Continue reading →

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Advent and Christmas 1: the anniversary that wasn’t

Posted on December 8, 2025 by vhk10

November was packed with musical events, and although I had no actual Christmas concerts in December there was nevertheless more other seasonal performances than I usually give. Actually, this started well back in November with the opening of Bath’s Christmas … Continue reading →

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the late quartets that weren’t

Posted on November 30, 2025 by vhk10

I hadn’t been to a concert at the Wiltshire Music Centre in over 10 years. Only a small part of this was accounted for by the pandemic hiatus; mostly it was because I fell off the mailing list for their … Continue reading →

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a Messiah about which there isn’t much to say

Posted on November 30, 2025 by vhk10

November 2025 was, I realise, a ridiculously busy month musically speaking. My final performance of the month was Messiah in Gloucester Cathedral. I’m beginning to run out of things to say about Messiah, which under natural conditions I’d aim to … Continue reading →

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revisiting Rossini

Posted on November 22, 2025 by vhk10

A decade ago I sang Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with Bristol Choral Society in Bristol Cathedral. The wheel has turned full circle and I went back there to hear them sing the same piece. I was a guest of the … Continue reading →

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Split-level Makropoulos

Posted on November 20, 2025 by vhk10

I have long felt that The Makropulos Case has been unfairly neglected, but am still surprised the Royal Opera hadn’t ever put it on before. Even though I’d been to a performance in Cardiff not that long ago, I made … Continue reading →

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Diabelli at the Mozartfest

Posted on November 18, 2025 by vhk10

I was surprised that Cédric Tiberghien’s recital at the Mozartfest didn’t completely sell out, though there weren’t many nave seats left in St Mary’s church. Perhaps not so many people this year signed up for the weekend package offered by … Continue reading →

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my Prior Park début

Posted on November 16, 2025 by vhk10

I have only once previously been in Prior Park Chapel. I seized the chance to take part in a workshop afternoon there, led by Matthew Finch. I hadn’t been to such an event organised by him before, and didn’t know … Continue reading →

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a memorial Requiem at Merton

Posted on November 12, 2025 by vhk10

I had not returned to hear a service in Merton College Chapel, or indeed set foot in the College, since 2016. I came back for a memorial requiem Eucharist for a former Chaplain. I was at Merton mid-way through his … Continue reading →

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All Souls Day at Bath Abbey

Posted on November 11, 2025 by vhk10

The Abbey Chamber Choir sang evensong for a transferred observance of All Souls’ Day. I’m not sure whether this was a first for Bath Abbey, but we were able to submit names of the departed in advance and they were … Continue reading →

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