Category Archives: singing in concerts

My Museum of Bath Architecture début

Posted on October 25, 2016 by vhk10

The Museum of Bath Architecture (formerly the Building of Bath Museum) has occasional concert series. I remember hearing the Paragon Singers (appropriately enough) there some years ago. I was fortunate to be invited to sing with the 10-strong choir of … Continue reading →

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Lilies for William

Posted on September 25, 2016 by vhk10

Members of the Cathedral Chamber Choir reassembled a week later at St. Gabriel’s Church, Pimlico to remember William Wingate. William was a very long-standing member of the choir, who occasionally conducted it and sadly died recently before his time. Although … Continue reading →

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Three Choirs: the summing up

Posted on August 28, 2016 by vhk10

So now looking back at the whole enterprise – was it worth while?  Definitely.  From what I’ve heard it sounded like I picked a particularly vintage year in which to be involved.   The BBC really missed something by not … Continue reading →

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3 Choirs (7): Mahler’s Eighth Symphony

Posted on August 26, 2016 by vhk10

Phew! Finally I get near the end of writing up my Three Choirs activities. After a rest day on the Thursday the final outing for the Chorus (and large numbers of others) was Mahler 8. In preparation, I tried not … Continue reading →

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3 Choirs (6): Carmina Burana

Posted on August 22, 2016 by vhk10

I promised to review my opinion of Carmina Burana after the performance. I realise I’ve been unfair on the piece in at least one respect. I alleged it was unvocal and it isn’t – even that top C is well … Continue reading →

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3 Choirs (5): the Grande Messe des Morts

Posted on August 22, 2016 by vhk10

Confronted with this piece, what can one do (apart from try to conserve some voice for Mahler 8 later in the week)? I’ve said enough about it in the past, so I needn’t spend much time describing it. It seemed … Continue reading →

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3 Choirs (4): Dona Nobis Pacem

Posted on August 21, 2016 by vhk10

Dona Nobis Pacem was the discovery of the Festival for me, as previously it had only been a name. It is one of those pieces invoking peace, like Give Unto the Lord or Friede auf Erden, which sadly got overtaken by events … Continue reading →

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3 Choirs (3): Elijah

Posted on July 29, 2016 by vhk10

It’s a long time since the only previous occasion I sang Elijah. As I’ve already remarked, I remembered more of it than I expected to, but there’s still an awful lot of it. (I do wonder whether it might be … Continue reading →

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3 Choirs (2): The Kingdom

Posted on July 27, 2016 by vhk10

First up was The Kingdom, a work new to me, though in recent years it seems to have gained in popularity. I think I will always in general prefer earlier Elgar to later works, and so this piece hasn’t overtaken … Continue reading →

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Call me Al (2): Ahoy!

Posted on April 11, 2016 by vhk10

Another week, another cantata by Alexander l’Estrange. This time it was Ahoy! for the Mary Rose, performed in Colston Hall as part of Bristol Choral Society’s outreach programme. Choir members were joined by a large crew from several Bristol schools, … Continue reading →

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Call me Al (1): my Assembly Rooms début

Posted on March 30, 2016 by vhk10

A couple of years ago I missed the chance to sing Zimbe! with Bristol Choral Society, as I was doing my bit for mixing musical culture across continents by singing Messiah in India. But it caught up with me, as … Continue reading →

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the Evangelist jinx

Posted on March 22, 2016 by vhk10

I wonder whether I should be allowed to sing the St Matthew Passion at all, given that I seem to bring illness with me when I perform it. The first time I did so, the Evangelist was unwell and his … Continue reading →

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