Author Archives: vhk10

Three Choirs 2023: Tuesday evening

Posted on August 7, 2023 by vhk10

Tuesday brought a change of orchestra with the Royal Philharmonic replacing the Philharmonia. And the most unfamiliar of the music we had to sing. Holst’s Ode to Death was only a name to me previously. As long as you can … Continue reading →

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Three Choirs 2023: the evensongs

Posted on August 1, 2023 by vhk10

I made it to two of the evensongs during the Festival. The first one was on the first Saturday: Jonathan Hope conducting the Saint Cecilia Singers, many of whom had sung in the opening service that morning and would sing … Continue reading →

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Three Choirs 2023: the first Saturday concert

Posted on July 30, 2023 by vhk10

Our first concert, on the evening of the first day, contained two choral items in the first half. Rise up, O Sun! was a new composition by Eleanor Alberga setting words by Blake. There was plenty to get your teeth … Continue reading →

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Three Choirs 2023: the opening

Posted on July 29, 2023 by vhk10

As already remarked the opening of the Festival was different this year, with a shorter service in the Cathedral after processions through the city centre had converged on it. Dr Foster would have recognised the weather, and after gathering at … Continue reading →

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Three Choirs 2023: the general view

Posted on July 28, 2023 by vhk10

Before I move on to actual concerts and services I’ll start with a few general impressions from Gloucester 2023, as compared with Gloucester 2016. The Festival Chorus was rather smaller this time, although I’d say it was at least as … Continue reading →

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I sell my soul to the Three Choirs Festival …. again

Posted on July 21, 2023 by vhk10

Actually not quite as thoroughly as last time, but I’m in the Festival Chorus for TCF Gloucester 2023 and been in rehearsal for it since the end of April. I’m singing in 3 evening concerts plus a late-morning one and … Continue reading →

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a big sing in Cambridge

Posted on June 25, 2023 by vhk10

The day after my excursion to Ross-on-Wye I made a day trip to Cambridge for a choir reunion at my old College, Corpus. This happen occasionally, and I last went to one five years ago. I thought hard about the … Continue reading →

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the Great Round Byrd in Ross

Posted on June 20, 2023 by vhk10

I believe I visited Ross-on-Wye many years ago but since then it’s been just a placename on road signs in Gloucester. I seized an opportunity to commemorate William Byrd’s anniversary by performing the Mag and Nunc from the Great Service … Continue reading →

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Bath Festival 2023

Posted on June 2, 2023 by vhk10

I didn’t get to anything in this year’s Bath Festival – there are fewer classical concerts these days and it came at a busy time for me. However I have eye(?ear)witness reports on a couple of the concerts held in … Continue reading →

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under the balcony

Posted on May 30, 2023 by vhk10

I made my first post-pandemic excursion to the Royal Opera House to the opening night of Deborah Warner’s new production of Wozzeck. I shan’t comment further on the uniformly excellent performances – you can read more by following the links … Continue reading →

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… with a Coronation touch

Posted on May 27, 2023 by vhk10

These words qualified the title of the Erleigh Cantors’ May concert in St Peter’s Earley, the usual mix of pieces from our Cathedral weekends with some other repertoire. Last year we did some of the obvious royal pieces because of … Continue reading →

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Coronation pieces

Posted on May 27, 2023 by vhk10

I watched the Coronation ceremony with a keen ear for the music performed. I wonder which of the various new pieces I’ll be asked to sing first? (My money’s on Tarik O’Regan’s.) British coronations have been over recent centuries been … Continue reading →

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