Author Archives: vhk10

The Assumption in Milan

Posted on September 1, 2014 by vhk10

I have been fortunate to be in Milan for some major festivals of the Church year, and this year we were there on the feast of the Assumption. I went to Vespers, which included a procession around the building for … Continue reading →

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Peterborough pitch

Posted on August 24, 2014 by vhk10

There is a proposal to re-tune the organ at Peterborough Cathedral down to A=440. About a third of the necessary money had been raised when Robert Quinney landed the job at New College Oxford earlier this year, but when the … Continue reading →

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Singing to Barry Rose

Posted on August 20, 2014 by vhk10

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 … Continue reading →

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An upper-voice evensong

Posted on August 5, 2014 by vhk10

I don’t think I’d ever sung one of these before. In fact I don’t think I’d sung an upper-voice service since I was at school, though I have sung music for these forces in concerts, most notably in Turin. I’d … Continue reading →

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Wyvern Central

Posted on July 7, 2014 by vhk10

I didn’t get to sing in the Great Chorus but there was a reprise of two pieces that were performed at it: Zadok the Priest and the Hallelujah Chorus at the end-of-year Commemoration Service in Bath Abbey. This gathering must … Continue reading →

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my top 10 moments in the Grande Messe des Morts

Posted on July 3, 2014 by vhk10

@gloschor I spent last Saturday rehearsing Berlioz’ Grande Messe des Morts in preparation for performances in the autumn. I’m still smitten by this piece and present my short list of favourite moments. N.B. I don’t want to imply that the … Continue reading →

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the frivolous time of year

Posted on June 26, 2014 by vhk10

At this season the music I’m asked to sing tends to lighten up a bit. First up was Rossini’s Messe Solennelle with Bristol Choral Society – the first time I’d performed with them in Bristol Cathedral, so there was new … Continue reading →

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At the enthronement

Posted on June 23, 2014 by vhk10

(adapted from an article written for my church magazine) On June 7th I attended the ‘installation’ (rather as if he were a boiler or a modern artwork) of Peter Hancock as Bishop of Bath and Wells. The doors of Wells … Continue reading →

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Trwy’r anialwch

Posted on June 10, 2014 by vhk10

One of the most famous poetic evocations of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness is in Welsh (look in your hymnbook). So it seemed appropriate to see Moses und Aron in Cardiff, complete with Welsh surtitles. Really though I was … Continue reading →

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after the 2014 Festival

Posted on June 5, 2014 by vhk10

@KirstenTElliott The Bath International Music Festival has been and gone, Alasdair Nicolson’s second and last as Artistic Director. I have been told a fair amount about the last couple of festivals by several people closely involved, but should not repeat … Continue reading →

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