Tag Archives: Elgar

what’s top of the bucket list now?

Like many singers I have a ‘bucket list’ of the works I would like to sing and have never done. For as far back as I can remember until 2008, the work at the top of it was Bach’s B … Continue reading

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Belshazzar’s Feast with a pounding heart

On to Belshazzar (I would say ‘onwards and upwards’ but I don’t think there is any ‘upwards’, in any sense, after the Missa Solemnis). I have had terrible difficulties driving to rehearsals in Bristol this term, and tried to get … Continue reading

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An alternative to the food festival

I was glad to revisit Lichfield with the Cathedral Chamber Choir as my last choir trip there, with another choir, was not a happy one and I wanted some fresher memories of the place. The choir room has been moved … Continue reading

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My Lord Mayor’s Chapel début

I joined the choir of St Mary’s Bathwick to sing at the Assumptiontide Festival of the C of E Catholic Societies in Bristol. Actually that is a bit inaccurate because so many of that choir were away that fewer than … Continue reading

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3 Choirs (6): Carmina Burana

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 (2): The Kingdom

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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the themes of the Festival

I’ve been a bit quiet recently. Most of my singing activity has been rehearsing for the 3 Choirs Festival, and what goes on in the rehearsal room stays in the rehearsal room, or at any rate doesn’t appear here. I’ve … Continue reading

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owning the notes

I am now finding out just how well I know (or don’t) the Three Choirs pieces, and so how much work I need to do on them. The pieces for the six main concerts divide neatly into three pairs in … Continue reading

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at the home of the Garter

It was a long time since I’d sung at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle – previous visits were quite social affairs with a drinks party for us in the conference centre next to the Chapel. This time the Erleigh … Continue reading

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Poulenc’s Gloria (1)

The first outing of Poulenc’s Gloria was with Bristol Choral Society and the National Children’s Orchestra in Colston Hall conducted by Howard Williams with Rhiannon Llewellyn as soloist. In fact the NCO run several orchestras, and we performed with the … Continue reading

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