Author Archives: vhk10

The Bath Festival 2018 – 1

Posted on June 5, 2018 by vhk10

It really is just the Bath Festival now, having amalgamated music and literature. I retain an open mind about this, though I know many people felt that either the literature side or the musical one would suffer. For me it … Continue reading →

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an authentic harmonium

Posted on May 18, 2018 by vhk10

I joined local choir CanZona (the median capital letter differentiates it from the ensemble Canzona) for a performance of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle in aid of our church organ fund. Years ago the Cambridge Chamber Group was going to do … Continue reading →

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captured by the Muse in the stratosphere

Posted on May 6, 2018 by vhk10

My attention was drawn to this telecast of a performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music by a friend who is the brother of the tenor soloist. I enjoyed the performance, with brisk tempi and … Continue reading →

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memory test

Posted on April 28, 2018 by vhk10

It is my boast (and this is a bit of a boast) that I almost never totally forget a piece of music that I’ve performed, however long the interval until I perform it again. Unfortunately I usually don’t remember it … Continue reading →

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taking Duruflé to Lisbon

Posted on April 24, 2018 by vhk10

I have not been on many foreign choir tours – on average, it’s been about once every four years – but two of the few that I’ve done involved Duruflé’s Requiem. Perhaps it’s because it is a substantial work for … Continue reading →

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Holy Week and Easter 2018

Posted on April 17, 2018 by vhk10

I missed singing the Good Friday service last year, but this year I was available for everything except Maundy Thursday. Palm Sunday included Peter Aston’s Hosanna to the Son of David, one of his more mediæval-influenced works, and Leighton’s Solus … Continue reading →

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in praise of … the forgery

Posted on March 30, 2018 by vhk10

For Good Friday we are about to sing Crux fidelis by the person I shall call – following the convention used for Classical authors – Pseudo-King John IV of Portugal. This work obviously fooled the musical world for a while, … Continue reading →

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a dancing palm tree and a light-up whale

Posted on March 26, 2018 by vhk10

A recurring theme this spring is religious pieces in a jazz style. This time it was my first encounter with Jonah-Man Jazz, with the local primary school doing it as an end-of-term performance in church. The church choir provided me … Continue reading →

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channelling my inner Benny Hill

Posted on March 22, 2018 by vhk10

Carmina Burana is never going to be a favourite of mine, but this time round I enjoyed it rather more than before. Maybe with a woman conductor there’s a bit more of an air of complicity? At any rate, I … Continue reading →

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the harpsichord playing of my dreams

Posted on March 9, 2018 by vhk10

I didn’t want to miss the Bath Bachfest lunchtime recital of Mahan Esfahani and Michala Petri, either of whom would be a draw on their own. They came to the Guildhall with a programme of music by Handel, Bach, Telemann, … Continue reading →

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