Choir with a score to settle....

Zachary Kleanthous of Colchester Chamber Choir

I thoroughly enjoyed Saturday's Colchester Chamber Choir performance of music for Easter. The final piece, Leonardo Leo's 'Miserere mei'  seemed almost modern, mixing and matching musical styles. (sorry, being 18th century religious music it's sung in Latin, but the programme helpfully provides a translation, and in any case, being the aethiest plebian that I am, I don't bother about the words too much, just luxuriating in the wonderful interplay of voices. Yet another musical instrument I have no hope of mastering - so I have huge respect for those that have!)
And... there's a great story attached to the Choir getting the scores to sing from.
They were asked for a small fortune for scores (essential to sing from). Choir member and gifted young professional singer Zachary was able to download a publicly-available copy of the score and reproduce it using Sibelius computer annotation software. A great service to music-lovers in Colchester!
Look out for their summer concerts - I have to say I'm very proud that they are returning to the Beth Chatto gardens on 19th June by kind permission of Beth Chatto and her grand-daughter Julia Boulton - tickets soon available on- line - See you there!

Colchester Chamber Choir rehearse in the Beth Chatto Gardens, June 2015

Song - A little more from the concert - Leonardo Leo - Miserere mei (Have mercy on me)- this really is beautiful music - why should the Devil have all the best tunes!

Pop goes Firstsite

Famous for..a little more than 15 minutes

So excited to visit the opening party tonight at Firstsite for the Andy Warhol exhibition. A very brief visit (I'll pop back next week) but first impressions are this is a must visit for everyone. The 'Factory' is installed right at the heart of everything, and is a great place for artists of all ages to have a go.

Digital, or good old-fashioned dirty fingers - it's all here!

Art-wise Camille Walala's mural steals the show.

If only all Gents' loos were this well decorated!

All photos taken on opening night 18th March 2016, with huge thanks to all at Firstsite, artists Camille Walala and Hattie Stewart, and Anthony Roberts.

Ghost of Firstsite past

Song... Paint a vulgar picture - the Smiths - so much in this, but don't take it too literally with regards to anyone in particular!

It's a Wonderful World....

Up these steps..

 

Which way do you get to 'Wonderful Wednesdays' at our Arts Centre?

I usually have a quick bite at the Embassy Chinese Buffet, than round the corner, through the Roman Wall, and you're there. Throw the money you can afford in the bucket and you're in! (Really popular shows have been known to sell out, so I sometimes book on-line, though it seems wrong for a 'pay what you can' night).



Through this door..
 

The shows last about an hour usually. Sometimes the performance engulfs you, sometimes it leaves you hot or cold, sometimes you're part of it (well actually, you're always part of it - can you have a performance without an audience?). Go, and just let it happen - don't think too much is my rule. You may even enjoy it - see you there! - this week, award-winning play 'The Tailor of Inverness'.

Song - what do you think - It's a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong






Singing with Passion...

Christ being laid in the tomb, Troyes school, Chaource, France

I always seek out a concert of Easter Music to enjoy, and this year I'm delighted I don't have to go far...the excellent Colchester Chamber Choir are singing a varied programme at St Teresa's, Lexden, just off Straight road. I'd book tickets via their website if I was you, as their concerts tend to sell out. Saturday 19th March.

Colchester Chamber Choir rehearse at Firstsite last year

Other choirs are available

I've been thinking why an atheist (me) would want to go to hear religious music at Easter, and I think there are two reasons. Firstly I think it marks a seasonality and a progress through the year that goes back a long way. Secondly - there's some damn fine music! Sitting in a church for two hours listening to music is a great antidote to the world rushing round outside (no extension of Sunday shopping please..there's enough hours in the week to shop already). And in the hands (or voices) of Roderick and the Choir it should be brilliant. See you there.

Song - one of the pieces the Choir will sing, by Gesualdo (don't ask me - you'll have to come along to find out!)

Don't start without me!

Hannah Sanders with Ben Savage at Folkeast

I haven't made it to much in town recently for various reasons, so I was really looking forward to seeing the excellent tiata fahodzi in the Mercury Studio. Sadly Mrs. Blogger had an evening meeting, so I hadn't booked tickets. About 6.15 I decided to just make sure there were still seats by checking on-line. Disaster - not even a 'book here' button! A panic phone call to the Box office revealed the show had started at 6, not 8 as in the brochure! Shows you should always read those emails. Never mind, off to the Arts Centre for a very enjoyable 'Wonderful Wednesday' by Ross Sutherland. Anthony Roberts saves the day again!
Anyway, enough of my  embarrassment. Two great music events over the next few days - Tasmin Little plays classical violin at the Mercury on Saturday, but that's sold out, so why not get along to the Arts Centre to hear the amazingly pure voice of Hannah Sanders. Some of her formative years were spent in America, so she sings songs from both sides of the Pond. Highly personally recommended - sadly I can't be there. I think it starts at 7.45, but you'd better check.....

Song - well something from Hannah's album 'Charms against Sorrow' - I'll Weave my Love a Garland.