Having reached a riper old age than many in the Eighteenth Century and, like many of today’s statesmen are reputed to do, Bach had a keen eye on his ‘legacy’. Raising sons such as Carl Philipp Emanuel and Johann Christian, … Continue reading
One of the shorter and lesser-known summer classical music festivals in England is actually one of its best. The Southern Cathedrals Festival takes place in suceeding years at Chichester, Salisbury and, starting tomorrow for 2011, in Winchester. Its emphasis is … Continue reading
Any wedding is like a Russian doll. At its heart is the couple concluding a contract, both legal and emotional. Around this is the ceremony itself, whether sacred or secular, in which the vows exchanged are amplified in meaning by … Continue reading
Radio 3′s The Genius of Mozart season is an excellent example of the BBC at its best. Ambitious and erudite it avoided the temptation to patronise. Continue reading
UK cathedrals could follow the lead set by St. Thomas’ Church, NY, by webcasting choral services. It’s a good form of outreach and a great way to gain publicity – but a challenge for the BBC. Continue reading
I welcome the return of webcasts of services featuring the boys and men of St. Thomas Church, New York. Continue reading
Aged 55 when he composed The Music Makers, Elgar would live for a further 22 years after it received its premiere. Even so, right from the rising and falling figure at the outset, its orchestration conveys a predominantly autumnal, melancholy … Continue reading
If Towards the Unknown Region followed in a European tradition of choral songs with orchestra, Vaughan Williams’ Flos Campi marks a decisive break from it. Scored for solo viola, chamber orchestra and small wordless chorus, it could be described as … Continue reading
Continuing today my brief survey of music that featured in a concert by the Somerset Chamber Choir, I focus today on a work by Ralph Vaughan Williams, one of the great composers of the Twentieth Century. Towards the Unknown Region … Continue reading
Singing in a concert, The Dreamers of Dreams, in Wells Cathedral with the Somerset Chamber Choir on 31 July set me thinking about the works we performed. Here is the first in a series of reflections; it focuses on Parry’s … Continue reading