Author Archives: vhk10

LPs batch 1: the early trials

Posted on March 12, 2010 by vhk10

As I’m not sure I’m using absolutely optimal settings for digitisation, I’m starting with some LPs that we’re not so deeply attached to. First off the mark was some double harpsichord concertos by Couperin and Rameau (apologies to their memories). … Continue reading →

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the process starts

Posted on March 9, 2010 by vhk10

I have at long last begun the process of digitally recording our LPs on to CDs. It’s going to be a long haul; I estimate there are a good 200 LPs to be done. I’ll begin with a few general … Continue reading →

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Philip Langridge

Posted on March 7, 2010 by vhk10

I was sorry to hear yesterday that he had died. I had the privilege of sharing a concert platform with him once, in Britten’s St. Nicholas at the Barbican with the Tallis Chamber Choir and (I think) the ECO. I … Continue reading →

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the words of the anthem are …

Posted on March 5, 2010 by vhk10

I recently went to hear the Farrant Singers from Salisbury sing evensong at Wells Cathedral. The choir contained a friend of mine (as well as another singer who is ubiquitous in choirs around here!). It was a good service, with … Continue reading →

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a colossal nightingale

Posted on February 17, 2010 by vhk10

This was Heine’s description of Berlioz and I can’t improve on it, so I’m borrowing it for the title of this post. A few years ago I learnt some of Les nuits d’été, including Le spectre de la rose. The … Continue reading →

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classical music on YouTube

Posted on February 9, 2010 by vhk10

From time to time it’s recommended that I get to learn a particular piece by watching a video of it in performance on YouTube. I’ve tried this but it doesn’t really work for me, for various reasons. One is that … Continue reading →

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Facebook events

Posted on February 5, 2010 by vhk10

I have recently set up my next performance as a Facebook event. It’s the Grande Messe des Morts by Berlioz in Colston Hall, Bristol, on Saturday February 13th at 7.30 p.m., performed by the South West Festival Chorus and Birmingham … Continue reading →

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an apology to commenters

Posted on February 1, 2010 by vhk10

I was recently contacted by someone who’d tried and failed to post a comment on one of my blog articles. It turned out that his comment had, for no very obvious reason, been classified as spam. As I haven’t had … Continue reading →

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getting classical ringtones

Posted on January 25, 2010 by vhk10

My daughter now has a mobile phone and wants a piece of classical music to use as a ringtone. I’ve been looking at various sites but found the selection rather limited, unless you go for a converted MP3 file from … Continue reading →

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booking St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey

Posted on January 12, 2010 by vhk10

I’ve been making enquiries about taking a visiting choir to sing services at St. Paul’s or Westminster Abbey. We used to be regular visitors, and indeed the Abbey and St. Paul’s would sometimes turn to us if they found they … Continue reading →

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how to leave people out

Posted on January 4, 2010 by vhk10

Sometimes it might be necessary to scale down the size of a choir slightly for a particular performance, because of the music being performed or the venue. The thoughts in this post result from reflections on one occasion when a … Continue reading →

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the singing revival

Posted on December 31, 2009 by vhk10

There’s been a lot of media interest recently in a national revival in singing. How has this affected me? When you look at where this revival is taking place, it’s mostly in the unauditioned sector, and though this isn’t where … Continue reading →

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