23rd March
This week we sang almost all the Salieri – everything except the Credo – and managed to remember it all very well. Next week we will sing the entire Mass in D as though it were a performance, but with no audience! Sam and the Trustees...
Read more16th March
We are nearing Easter and the end of term. As we will not be able to put on a public performance of the Salieri, Sam has suggested that at the last rehearsal on March 30th we sing the whole work through and make an occasion of it. More details...
Read more9th March
A sad anniversary – it is now a year since we sang together. Let’s hope the situation continues to improve and we can get back to meeting in person at the end of the summer. This week we revisited the Sanctus, the Gloria and the...
Read more2nd March
This week we were able to sing to Suzy’s ‘backing track’. We started with the Kyrie and finished with the Benedictus. Singing with Suzy’s accompaniment and some sections sung by Sam made the whole experience much more...
Read more23rd February
This week we started the Credo – the most difficult movement, not because of the music but because of all the words! The text is not as familiar and the words are a bit of a mouthful. Sam gave us a lot of instructions about where to...
Read more16th February
This week’s rehearsal began with a brief appearance from John Hindley to say that he was home from hospital and beginning to feel better. He hopes to be singing with us again soon. At the end of the rehearsal, Liz Sims paid tribute to our...
Read more9th February
This week we began with the Agnus Dei – the uplifting final movement of the Salieri mass. There are some tricky bits in this, but we are getting there! We then moved on to the Gloria which begins with ‘trumpet calls’ before...
Read more2nd February
This week we continued working on the Gloria – starting from P19. On P20, take out a crotchet in the last bar to allow for a breath. Do the same in bar 137 on P21. This should allow us to sustain the last note in bar 141. On P22 the music...
Read more26th January
This week we revisited the Agnus Dei and then continued with the Gloria. In the Agnus Dei, Sam reminded us of the places we are allowed to breathe and the dynamics: No breath between bars 41and 42 Cut short the note on ‘cem in bar 43 Big...
Read more12th January
We learnt the Agnus Dei, which Sam described as beginning in a mysterious mood in a minor key, followed by a more cheerful middle section. He felt it has some similarities to the Mozart Requiem. Throughout the movement we should focus on the...
Read more5th January
Welcome back to a new term, a new year – and new restrictions! Rehearsals will continue on Zoom for some time. There was a good turnout for the first rehearsal of the Salieri mass in D. Between 35 and 40 members joined for all or part of...
Read more