Tag Archives: Handel

BCS … with bling

Posted on December 31, 2015 by vhk10

I missed Bristol Choral Society’s Messiah last year, so my memory needed a bit of refreshing this time. Our orchestra was the Bristol Ensemble, which meant modern pitch, and the high notes went with a bit more zing. We had … Continue reading →

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The Bristol Connection

Posted on July 9, 2015 by vhk10

The final concert of Bristol Choral Society’s season, in the Cathedral, was largely music connected to Bristol. (Incidentally I had my triennial audition, and can continue to sing.) Bristol does not feature very largely on the map of British composers. … Continue reading →

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a first hearing of the Bath Cantata Group

Posted on April 3, 2015 by vhk10

The Bach Cantata Group perform at least once a year in St. Stephen’s Church very near us but I’d never been to hear them. They gave a concert under the direction of Neil Moore accompanied by an orchestra led by … Continue reading →

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Wyvern Central

Posted on July 7, 2014 by vhk10

I didn’t get to sing in the Great Chorus but there was a reprise of two pieces that were performed at it: Zadok the Priest and the Hallelujah Chorus at the end-of-year Commemoration Service in Bath Abbey. This gathering must … Continue reading →

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The Messiah in India

Posted on April 17, 2014 by vhk10

The South West Festival Chorus believes in travelling the world and followed taking Gerontius to China a few years ago with performances of the Messiah in India. We were not quite trail blazing as we were following in the footsteps … Continue reading →

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The Great Chorus

Posted on March 5, 2014 by vhk10

The children’s school is putting on one of its occasional concerts in which they invite parents and others associated with the school to boost the school choirs in a concert. I sang in the last of these; unfortunately I will … Continue reading →

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Remembering the Messiah again

Posted on December 28, 2013 by vhk10

The annual memorised performance of Messiah came round again. I had been worried that I would be back to square one with learning this, but some of the harder choruses to memorise, such as All we like sheep, fell into … Continue reading →

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a wedding at Redcliffe

Posted on September 11, 2013 by vhk10

I hadn’t sung at St. Mary Redcliffe for a few years, the last time being my first Exultate Singers concert. I was invited back to join the choir for a wedding. I think that since I last sang there the … Continue reading →

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How to improve on Handel

Posted on March 20, 2013 by vhk10

I don’t often get so grabbed by a half-heard piece of music that I have to drop everything to listen properly, but it happened the other day. I was in the kitchen defrosting the fridge and across the hall Radio … Continue reading →

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singing Messiah to 3,000

Posted on January 16, 2013 by vhk10

Strictly speaking, I didn’t do this, because the audience was split between the ‘mini-Messiah‘ in the afternoon and a full performance (with a few cuts) in the evening. But singing to a nearly-full Colston Hall was a change from the … Continue reading →

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The muscle-memory Messiah

Posted on December 19, 2012 by vhk10

#MemorisedMessiah Even up North they don’t do this – sing the Messiah from memory. The Bristol Choral Society do it every year, and although newcomers are offered a rather gentler way in I have decided to do it the hard … Continue reading →

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The WholeNote

Posted on June 27, 2012 by vhk10

On a visit to Canada last month I found a copy in our hotel room of a publication called The WholeNote. It’s a monthly magazine about classical music (also covering jazz, musical theatre and world music) in the Toronto area. … Continue reading →

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