>> Bach at the Festival, Douglas? You lucky blighter! Do please report on
>> the highlights. Backchannel to me if no one else is interested, but I
>> certainly am.
>>
> The Chantry Singers, of which I am a Friend, run a Bach Festival every few
> years when they can raise the money. No contribution from the Council who
> believe classical music to be elitist and definitely not to be encouraged.
>
> There is a full week of events lunchtime and evening. I picked out five
> things:
>
> 1. The St John Passion in Bath Abbey last Saturday night which was an
> education for me as I didnt know anything about it. The Choir brought in
> the Steinitz Bach Players and, as usual, all the soloists were
> professionals amonst whom were Bath girl Emma Kirkby, Stephen Varcoe,
> Simon Birchall etd whose names you should recognise. Julian Podger was the
> Evangelist and was brilliant. It is a sort of recitativo role as he tells
> the story. I found the work very interesting as it was chopped up into
> pieces between choir, orchestra and solists with the Evangelist keeping
> things going. But I wont be buying the CD.
I've sung in amateurs choirs for several performances of this, once in 1966
under Paul Steinitz himself. Didn't know the Steinitz Bach Players were
still extant -- will that be under his son Richard? They used to have a
superb crisp sound and lively phrasing, ideal for Bach's contrapuntal lines.
It's a grief to me that I haven't the vocal range for choral singing any
more.
> 2. Tuesday night was Florilegium with a Brandenburg and a Suite amongst
> other things including pieces from The Musical Offering. They were a young
> lively group. Their encore was Bolivian music of which they have done a CD
> with singers they went out and found in Bolivia but I wont be buying it.
> The marvellous Brandenburg was the standout piece.
>
> 3. Tonight, Thursday, was London Harpsichord Ensemble with oboe, Violin
> and harpsichord soloists. Three concertos and bits and pieces. The violin
> concerto was the best piece but the overall effect of the music was more
> pure Bach than Florilegium who were the better musicians.
Isn't that interesting! Specialist Bach is a style and a study all of its
own.
>
> 4. Tomorrow, Friday night, I have Prunella Scales playing Old Man Bach and
> telling his lifestory to cello and harpsichord accompaniement. It was to
> be her husband Timothy West, who is Patron, but he is in a play in
> Birmingham I believe. Fred Beake says she came to read some poems in
> Torquay recently and was very headmistressy so we will see how it goes.
>
> 5. Saturday night I am back in the Abbey, the above three were in the
> Guildhall, for the Mass in B minor with the Bach Festival Players and
> amongst the soloists is Catherine Bott. Another piece that will be new to
> me.
The usual adjective for this one is 'monumental'. Massive choral pillars and
solo voices and instruments like carved traceries. I do hope you enjoy it.
> I see that amongst the Organ recitals is Gillian Weir's and Rachel POdger
> is playing her violin but there is an enormous amount on and I have to be
> careful not to exhaust myself or my funds.
Not so keen on organ music, myself. Unless it's Choral-Praeludien played on
a chamber-organ.
> And I think it is three weeks to Amelia's Mozartfest when I have bought
> tickets for the second half of the week.
>
> And as I get an itchy throat inducing coughing which is getting worse as
> the years go on I am experimenting successfully with sucky sweets. Now I
> must go have a glass of milk and say hello to the cat. Cheers.
Yes, I find suckies are good too, and standard polo mints will do the job,
even.
Is cat not musical, then?
best joanna
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