Tag Archives: Philharmonia Orchestra

Three Choirs 2023: the final evening

Posted on August 15, 2023 by vhk10

The Apostles – relatively rarely done because of the number of soloists required – was missing piece needed to complete my performances of the three great choral works by Elgar. I remarked before that The Kingdom will do its best … 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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Belshazzar’s Feast with a pounding heart

Posted on December 22, 2016 by vhk10

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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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 (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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The Sea Symphony (2): Cardiff

Posted on February 17, 2016 by vhk10

Our third performance of the Sea Symphony was at St David’s Hall in Cardiff. I hope our diction came over well because the audience (who’d chosen us in preference to Ireland v Wales in the rugby) weren’t able to get … Continue reading →

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The Sea Symphony (1): Basingstoke and London

Posted on January 31, 2016 by vhk10

The first two of Bristol (+ Gloucester) Choral Society’s three outings with the Philharmonia Orchestra, John Wilson and the Sea Symphony were to the Anvil, Basingstoke, and to the Royal Festival Hall, where we were joined by Philharmonia Voices. I’ll … Continue reading →

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A return to the Royal Festival Hall

Posted on September 30, 2014 by vhk10

The Royal Festival Hall is beginning to feel like a home from home for me. Quite literally in one sense – because I grew up in a house where many furnishings had been purchased around the time of the Festival … Continue reading →

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LPs batch 31: choral heavyweights

Posted on October 25, 2011 by vhk10

Now well past the 200 LP mark.  Bringing up the rear of the ‘serious’ music were two sets: a second recording of Verdi’s Requiem, with Guilini and the Philharmonia (for good measure, we also had the same forces doing the … Continue reading →

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