Author Archives: vhk10

The Big Space

Posted on May 11, 2012 by vhk10

The Cathedral Chamber Choir spent Low Sunday weekend at a new venue for us, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. I’d sung there once before, a huge combined NW choral societies’ performance of Gerontius. I remember two things from that: one was that … Continue reading →

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An unrepresentative audience for Berlioz

Posted on April 25, 2012 by vhk10

I went to Welsh National Opera’s production of Beatrice and Benedict at the Bristol Hippodrome. This was a sumptuous production, with lavish sets and costumes, and beautifully lit as the evening turned to moonlight in the first act. But if … Continue reading →

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Ambrosian rites

Posted on April 22, 2012 by vhk10

I spent much of Holy Week in Milan, and was able to get to Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday services in the Cathedral. There is a tradition of elaborately choreographed liturgy there which I’ve experienced before – does it go … Continue reading →

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The Spirit of Schubert

Posted on April 11, 2012 by vhk10

The latest survey of a composer’s entire output on Radio 3 focused on Schubert. As I’ve said in my last posting, I was present at a live evening broadcast, but I also found time to listen to some of the … Continue reading →

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an invited audience

Posted on March 28, 2012 by vhk10

QCX8F7BA4GBJ EE5BNTGVNBT6 I attended a concert which was broadcast live as part of the BBC’s mammoth Schubertiad, Elisabeth Leonskaja playing the last two piano sonatas, D959 and D960, in the Assembly Rooms. The audience was not very large, and I … Continue reading →

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A citizenship ceremony

Posted on March 23, 2012 by vhk10

I have recently taken part in a ceremony to admit some 30 or so people to British citizenship. My role was to help lead in the singing of the National Anthem after they’d heard from one or two people from … Continue reading →

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an open letter to Alasdair Nicolson, future artistic director of the Bath Festival

Posted on March 8, 2012 by vhk10

Dear Alasdair, I await your arrival next year as new director of the Bath International Music Festival with interest. I know that you will have already started planning your first Festival, but as a Festival-goer of some fifteen years standing, … Continue reading →

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Eric Roseberry

Posted on February 27, 2012 by vhk10

I was sorry to hear today that Eric Roseberry had died after a very short illness. I sang for him only once, in a Marshfield Bach Singers Christmas concert. He had a deceptively mild and scholarly manner, and nevertheless coaxed … Continue reading →

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in the Pump Room

Posted on February 27, 2012 by vhk10

My husband and elder son went to a concert in the Pump Room, promoted by the Bath Recital Artists’ Trust. The performers were two school-age pianists from the RCM. The BRAT (if they will forgive my abbreviating it so) seem … Continue reading →

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a gatekeeper in the house of the Lord

Posted on February 27, 2012 by vhk10

As a resident of Bath I ‘hosted’ the Cathedral Chamber Choir’s weekend at Bath Abbey and this entailed letting people into rehearsal venues and generally shepherding them around. A weekend at Bath Abbey is unusual because it includes Matins and … Continue reading →

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Kingswood Vocal Week

Posted on February 8, 2012 by vhk10

Just time to note that as part of ‘Kingswood Vocal Week’ I was in the audience for a workshop taken by Jeremy Summerly, putting some of the school choirs through their paces in a selection of pieces from various periods. … Continue reading →

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My fantasy Mass

Posted on February 7, 2012 by vhk10

I’m going to put together a Mass setting for my own amusement (and I suppose that of my readers) of some of my favourite settings of these familiar texts. Two constraints: no composer is to be repeated, and the movements … Continue reading →

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