Author Archives: vhk10

The cost of score hire

Posted on June 7, 2012 by vhk10

I have the option of hiring a score of a well-known choral work for £5 for a forthcoming concert. I’m not sure whether this reflects the actual expense of hiring, or whether the choir has added a markup, but when … Continue reading →

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Bruckner and the snoring hummingbird

Posted on May 25, 2012 by vhk10

During rehearsals our choirmaster, Gavin Carr, told about the viral YouTube video of a hummingbird apparently snoring. I’m not sure quite how this was intended to inform our performance of Bruckner’s Mass in F minor – not at least by … Continue reading →

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a quiz at St. George’s

Posted on May 14, 2012 by vhk10

I took part in a piece of Bristol University research, held one evening at St. George’s Bristol, after picking up a flyer about it in a local music shop. The researchers were looking at concert programming – what makes an … Continue reading →

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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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