21 January 2025
Dear Singers,
Brilliant turn out this week, thank you.
WHAT WE DID ON 21.01.25
Mozart: Thorough sectionals on the Kyrie (p6) and the Lacrymosa (p41) - (Thank you Matt). When we put them together there were some great ensemble moments, and a lot of confidence - well done.
Hummel: Started work on the Agnus Dei (p70)
WHAT WE WILL DO ON 28.01.25
Drink coffee and eat cake in the break!! Please remember to bring your own mug, and if you provide a cake for sale don't slice it first! (New members - please see below for more details of our coffee and cake event)
Over time, as the music becomes more secure we can begin working on expressive text, dynamics, musical expressiveness and tone quality. This will all develop with confidence, which can be gained by listening to the music as much as possible, and by singing movements through in rehearsal - keeping in touch with each movement. So, henceforward we will devote the final 10/15 mins of our time together running movements/sections that are fairly confident, 'at random', to keep them 'on the boil', giving you the opportunity to note what progress you are making individually, and what might need attention!
Perhaps we can call this the 'Check out' - examining what we've got before leaving the premises - seeing how it goes etc
We will rehearse the following next week:
Mozart: Confutatis (p36) - Sectionals; Lacrymosa (P41) Tidy up and sort any 'moments'; Rex tremendae (p24) First look.
CHECK OUT: Opening of Hummel Credo (p29); Mozart Kyrie
The Hummel Mass (1810) is much less familiar to everyone. As I listen I can hear Hummel absorbing Mozart (who was his teacher) and Haydn (who he succeeded at the Esterhazy family estate) and being influenced by Beethoven (a contemporary)! The harmony is more adventurous and the melodies take unexpected turns more frequently At random I turned to page 22/23 - e.g. look at the soprano line.....
Here is a nice recording of the Credo which we started in the first rehearsal (listen out for the adventurous harmony in the middle section)
https://open.spotify.com/track/3WmuNt2hksnRPfbATgTGVa?si=3314afc1dfad4b2b
Here is a youtube recording of the whole Mass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S4Xd473Cjk
Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Mass No.1 in B-flat major, Op.77 (1810)
Composer: Johann Nepomuk Hummel Work: Mass No.1 in B-flat major Performers: Collegium Musicum 90 conducted by Richard Hickox Painting: Tito Pomponio Attico - Cicero's Best Friend I. Kyrie - 0:00 II. Gloria - 4:40 Qui tollis - 7:07 Quoniam - 9:44 III. Credo- 12:46 IV. Sanctus - 18:54 Benedictus - 20:33 V. Agnus Dei - 26:10 Dona nobis - 29:40
www.youtube.com
Happy listening, practising and singing.
Peter
Coffee and cake evening
Once a term we hold this event during an extended break in the middle of a rehearsal for a couple of reasons: firstly, as an opportunity for members to mingle with others rather than just their singing neighbours and secondly to raise some funds, this time they will go towards the cost of the orchestra for our next concert.
For the event to work we need you to bring along cakes/baked goods homemade or otherwise, or preserves or chutneys. We will then display these goods and you can buy and eat them during the break or take them home with you. We will provide tea and coffee but ask that you bring your own mug. To put it more succinctly - make cake, buy cake and eat cake!
In addition to the above, Barbara will be running a bigger and better raffle with tickets costing £1 each. (Donations for the prizes also gratefully received.)
Thanks in advance for your support.
The Committee