Diamonds Are for 2016–17

June 2016 Issue 52 Hemiola

St George’s Singers

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: DIAMONDS ARE FOR 2016–17

The programme for next season in not one but two Vivaldi Anniversary – so if any Choir A Passage to India 2 – St George’s Singers’ 60th – works: the Gloria and the Mag- members or SGS Friends have Memories of RVW 3 has just been announced, and nificat. suggestions about how we offers a sparkling array of con- On to spring 2017, and it’s should celebrate, please let the Memories of Rig Veda 4 certs worthy of a Diamond party-time! Our main celebra- committee know. … and nautical disasters 4 Celebration. tory concert will be on 22 Of course, we must not forget The season begins in November April at RNCM, and will fea- that 2017 will also see us going Review of ‘Sounds and 5 at RNCM with an all-Brahms ture a brilliant combination of on our most adventurous tour Sweet Airs’ programme featuring soprano choral music from yet, when we head off to Costa St George’s Singers news 6 Elizabeth Watts and baritone across six centu- Rica in July. The itinerary is Lincoln: the official report 7 Marcus Farnsworth. Liz Watts ries: start- still being finalised, but we do began singing at Norwich Ca- ing know that it will involve con- Random tour thoughts 8 thedral where she was a choris- certs with our friends of El Hey nonny no-ing 9 ter and member of the Ca- Café Chorale, possibly a thedral Girls Choir, workshop which we will Lincoln: the uncut version 10 whose director hap- hold on English choral Long-lost shepherd found 11 pened to be a certain Mr music, and lots of ocean- Neil Taylor. She came to to-ocean sightseeing. international attention 2016–17 promises to ST GEORGE’S SINGERS when she won the Rosenblatt be a spectacular sea- Song Prize at the 2007 Cardiff PRESIDENT: son. It will also be an Singer of the World competi- expensive one for the Marcus Farnsworth MA ARAM tion. Since then she has become Choir, so the celebrations may VICE PRESIDENTS: one of the UK’s leading sopra- occasionally be mingled with nos, and is now in demand as a with Byrd Susan Roper the odd fund-raising venture, Mark Rowlinson recitalist all over the world. Liz and finishing which St George’s Singers are Stephen Threlfall and Marcus will be soloists in with Whitacre. Along always delighted to support. Stephen Williams Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, the way there will be opportu- and will also perform some nities for individuals and sec- As you go on your summer MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Brahms Lieder. tions of the choir, as well as holidays, take a copy of next Neil Taylor Neil and Pete, to show off season’s brochure with you, Christmas sees us give our tra- and tell your family, friends, ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR: their musical talents. ditional ‘Carols and Brass by and singing acquaintances Joseph Judge Candlelight’ concert, but this And finally – what better way about the gems in store for year, for reasons of diary clash- to round off a very special ACCOMPANIST: them in our Diamond Anniver- es, we will be holding the con- season than with the most sary year. Peter Durrant cert at Norbury Church. It is dramatic of all show-stopping many years since St George’s choral works: Verdi’s Messa da Singers performed there, and Requiem at Gorton Monastery. Registered Charity no 508686 we are looking forward to re- The concerts are only part of Member of Making Music, the National newing our acquaintance with Federation of Music Societies our special celebrations how- this lovely building. ever. Through the year we’re www.st-georges-singers.org.uk The Singing Day in January hoping to have some social sees directing us and our guests events to mark our Diamond Page 2 Hemiola

Sunday 26 June 2016 A PASSAGE TO INDIA Gorton Monastery Ralph Vaughan Williams It is remarkable that our final itual truth. Just as the Suez A Sea Symphony concert of 2015–16, featuring Canal links distant parts of the music by two quintessential world, Whitman’s poem links Gustav Holst ‘English’ composers, should ancient religions and modern Choral Hymns from the Rig both contain references to or be technology, God and engi- Veda, Ave Maria influenced by themes and imag- neering. In doing so, he en- es of India. courages us to see a bright with future, extending an invitation Vaughan Williams composed A Alison Rose, soprano that is both reverent and hope- Sea Symphony (his very first ful. Marcus Farnsworth, baritone symphony) in the years 1903– and 09. He deeply admired the hu- Vaughan Williams’ friend and manistic verses of the American contemporary, Gustav Holst, Stockport Symphony Orchestra poet Walt Whitman (1819–92), also drew inspiration from An early 19th-century Rigveda manuscript and had previously set one of India. Holst’s fascination with in Sanskrit his poems in the choral work, the great Indian religious sagas Toward the Unknown Region, such as the Baghvad Gita and invoked by Holst are two of the which gave the young compos- the Vedas began as early as most important, Indra and Var- er his first great success. For his 1899, and he even tried to learn una. Indra is a god of storms first symphony he chose a num- Sanskrit so he could read the and war, and appears in the Rig ber of extracts from Whitman’s ancient Hindu texts in the origi- Veda as the king of the gods. long collection of poems Leaves nal. His first use of the material He carries a thunderbolt, and of Grass. The words for the final was in a symphonic poem, In- rides through the heavens on a movement, which Vaughan dra, in 1903, and he also com- chariot or on the elephant Williams titled The Explorers, posed two operas based on Airavata. were taken from the poem Sanskrit texts. Passage to India. Varuna is the god of the sea, In 1907–8 he conceived the idea and the underwater world. He The words concern the sea and of setting some of his own rides on a Makura – a half- sailors, as a metaphor for the translations of the Vedas, and terrestrial, half-aquatic creature.

voyage through life and be- between 1908 and 1912 he pro- (photo:Matthew Brady)

He is also the god of law, sur- yond. More specifically, Whit- duced four sets of choral songs Walt Whitman veying all the affairs of men, man’s Passage to India salutes from the Rig Veda: for chorus reading secret thoughts and the evolutionary progress of the and orchestra, women’s voices sending his messengers to over- human race; it celebrates the and orchestra, women’s voices see their activities. Omnipresent scientific achievements of the and harp (which we will be and knowing the past and the age, looks forward to the immi- performing on 26 June) and future, Varuna is concerned nent dawning of an era in men’s voices, strings and brass. with the moral order. which all divisions and separa- The Rig Veda (a compound tions between people, and peo- The final hymn in the set does Sanskrit word mean- ple and nature, will be eliminat- ing ‘praise’ plus ed, and heralds the spiritual ‘knowledge) is an voyage of every human soul ancient Indian sacred into the depths of the inner collection of hymns, universe. Whitman himself counted among the described the meaning of his four canonical sacred poem, saying ‘that the divine After the seas are all cross'd, (as texts of Hinduism, efforts of heroes, and their ide- they seem already cross'd,) known as the as… will finally prevail, and be ‘Vedas’. Composed accomplished, however long After the great captains and roughly between engineers have accomplish'd their deferred.’ 1700–1100 BC, some work, Image:Museum OACMA The poem celebrates three tech- of the verses are still After the noble inventors, after the nological achievements: the recited as Hindu The god Varuna riding on his Makura scientists, the chemist, the opening of the Suez Canal in prayers, making them among geologist, ethnologist, 1869, the laying of the trans- the world’s oldest religious texts not refer to a named god, but Atlantic cable, and the growth in continued use. The Rig Veda Holst’s superscription over the Finally shall come the poet worthy of the American transcontinen- contains several mystical, myth- song reads: ‘The God invoked that name, tal railroad. These achieve- ological and poetic accounts of in this hymn is the Guide of ments outshine the Seven Won- the origin of the world, hymns travellers along the roads of the The true son of God shall come ders of the Ancient World; praising the gods, and ancient singing his songs. world and along that leading to however, the poet still hears the prayers for life. the next.’ call of the ancient past, embod- ‘A Passage to India’, Book XXVI, The hymns are all dedicated to ied in the myths and fables of A fitting summary of this con- Leaves of Grass various Rigvedic deities. Asia, with their daring reach cert devoted to journeys, both Amongst those individually toward an unfathomable spir- earthly and spiritual. Issue 52 Page 3

MEMORIES OF RVW (1872–1958) BY MARY HOULT

If you happen to find yourself for in 1905 (while he was com- in Surrey with time to spare, posing A Sea Symphony) he co- you could well decide to ex- founded The Leith Hill Musical plore the popular landmark of Festival. This annual competi- Box Hill. And while enjoying tive choral festival is still flour- the chalk downs and the pano- ishing today and using much of ramic views, you may be sur- its original format. Based on the prised to see that a considerable part-song and oratorio reper- swathe of the Surrey hills is toire, local choirs compete and devoted to growing vines. Now are adjudicated across three this vineyard is well worth visit- mornings, then join for collec- ing for several reasons, as a tive performances of the same closer inspection will reveal music in the evenings. With further surprises – it contains a Vaughan Williams as its princi- Leith Hill Place large collection of music, scores pal conductor until 1953, the brought up with a reverence for and recordings! This is because festival attracted support from both the man and his music, Denbies Wine Estate, the big- the top tier of London profes- and the stirring sound of those gest vineyard massed choirs singing in the in England, Dorking Halls was a formative also houses part of my childhood. My fa- the Surrey ther was the conductor of one Performing of the Leith Hill Festival’s par- Arts Library, ticipating choirs, Epsom Choral and what’s Society, for some 27 years and more, it fea- Vaughan Williams was the tures an up- president, succeeded after his stairs room Vaughan Williams’s piano on display at Leith Hill Place, which the death by his second wife, Ursu- devoted to composer gifted to the National Trust in 1945 la. Unfortunately, being a small the life and child at the time, I have only works of hazy recollections of seeing the Vaughan Williams. It seems sionals with participants such great man conduct, but I do that Dorking has finally woken as Isobel Baillie, Peter Pears, remember Ursula Vaughan up to the realisation that it was Leon Goossens, Malcolm Sar- Williams quite clearly, particu- home to a famous composer for gent and Dr Adrian Boult. larly her voice. After one of her many years! phone calls, our family would By all accounts RVW was not spend some time talking with Descended from the Wedg- only a charismatic musician but ‘far-back’ accents which in- wood and Darwin families, also a delightful and modest volved a semi-dislocated chin Vaughan Williams grew up at man who clearly inspired a and every sibilance imbued Leith Hill Place on the slopes of loyal following. Affectionately with Churchillian ‘sh’ sounds. another of Surrey’s beauty known as ‘The Old Man’ by his spots, moving on from London friends (but ‘Uncle Ralph’ – If only I could remember more to live in Dorking itself from pronounced ‘Raife’ – to his of my parents’ anecdotes… but 1929 to 1953. His love of choral face), his devoted fan club hap- at least I have retained and can singing and his enthusiasm for pened to include my parents, treasure this one – RVW’s very Ralph Vaughan Williams amateur music-making proved both of whom enjoyed the priv- last visit to Epsom Choral Soci- to be a winning combination to ilege of singing under his baton ety happened to coincide with the benefit of local musicians, for many years. I was therefore his 85th birthday and so there was a small celebration involv- ing tea and cake. Under the supervision of a strict great aunt, I was allowed to make the birthday cake. Apparently he The Surrey Performing Arts ate some of my cake, made a Library is open Tuesday– favourable comment and then Saturday, and houses choral Vaughan Williams kissed my and orchestral archives of cheek! Vaughan Williams.

Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA, www.surreycc.gov.uk/ Denbies vineyards near Dorking, home performingartslibrary/ to the Surrey Performing Arts Library Page 4 Hemiola

MEMORIES OF RIG VEDA

For one member of St George’s Brahms’s Four Songs for Wom- which although ‘not quite what Singers the concert on 26 June en’s Choir. he was used to’ was a success. at Gorton Monastery will be a trip down memory lane with Judy Tomlinson remembers the Judy has no recollection of the the inclusion of Holst’s Choral challenges the choir faced and panic that must have arisen just Hymns from the Rig Veda. the hard work involved, but before the concert, but she does also the sense of achievement. remember a wonderful occa- In the autumn of 1962 Gaynor sion. It was this experience at Then, the day before the con- Thomas was an inspiring music school that started her enjoy- teacher at the City of Cardiff cert, Ms Thomas fell ill. At ment and commitment to sing- High School for Girls. She short notice a Mr Arwel ing in choirs, something she has planned an ambitious concert Hughes (father of Owain Arwel done ever since. for the November of that year, Hughes), a member of the And over 53 years later she is to include the piece by Holst, BBC’s music staff in Wales and

Image:British Museum now looking forward to singing Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and later its Head of Music, stepped The god Indra on his elephant in and conducted the concert, the Holst for a second time.

… AND MORE MEMORIES OF RIG VEDA

The last time St George’s Sing- Marcus left Man- ers’ ladies sang the Choral chester to continue Hymns of the Rig Veda was at the his studies at the RNCM when we were conduct- Royal Academy of ed by our (then) Assistant Con- Music in London. ductor Marcus Farnsworth. The Now here he is concert was ‘Jubilation’, one of back again for our the concerts marking our 50th Sea Symphony con- Anniversary, and at which we cert – and this time also sang works by Parry, he can listen to the Leighton, Dove, Rutter and Holst from the Elgar. Shortly after this concert wings.

… PLUS MEMORIES OF DISASTERS CHORAL AND NAUTICAL

The following story has been anon- and determined that the choir By tradition, a poor dress re- ymised to protect the innocent, the would perform A Sea Symphony. hearsal heralds a scintillating nervous, the under-rehearsed and performance. On this occasion, the superstitious. Rehearsals did not go particu- tradition proved a false prophet. larly well, but concert day The precise details of this cho- dawned, and everyone headed ral catastrophe have happily Many years off for the concert hall (the local been expunged from long-term ago, one of St leisure centre) with its accom- memory, but the visceral hor- George’s Sing- panying aromas of rubber and rors it evoked remain. In short, ers’ current sweat, its appalling acoustics the ship foundered on the members was and collapsible chairs. rhythmical reefs and sank with singing with all hands. another choir. The conductor was late for Choral stand- rehearsal, a delay explained Soon afterwards, our intrepid ards were not when he did finally arrive, his sailor found safe haven in the as high as they leg encased in plaster – an acci- welcoming arms, ears and voic- might have dent had resulted in a broken es of St George’s Singers, and been, and per- ankle. A chair and footrest were has never returned to the nauti- Now, don’t forget to breathe in the hastily tracked down, and the shape of the vowel formances sometimes drifted a cal nightmare that was RVW’s little way from the composer’s conductor was installed in front Sea Symphony. original conception. The con- of his by now rather nervous Until now... ductor was ambitious however orchestral and choral mariners. Issue 52 Page 5

REVIEW OF ‘SOUNDS AND SWEET AIRS’ William Shakespeare died on notable for the excellent bal- programme: the choir’s ability 23 April 1616, and St George’s ance and tuning of its dense but to use meaningful diction, Singers chose a wonderfully delicate harmonies – this was warmth of phrasing and expres- varied programme of Shake- highly accomplished choral sive dynamics to make unre- speare settings to mark the four singing. markable music sound remarka- hundredth anniversary of his ble. This quality was also evi- death. Another challenging work, dent in the Three Madrigals by though less well-known, in this American composer Emma Entertainingly introduced by country at least, was the Four Lou Diemer, whose second conductor Neil Taylor, the Shakespeare Songs by the Finnish movement, Take, oh, take these evening included music by con- composer Jaako Mäntyjärvi (b lips away, could easily have temporaries of the Bard, includ- 1963), an interesting and col- sounded dull and syllabic, but ing Orlando Gibbons, John ourful set of pieces which de- didn’t – far from it – because it Bennet and Thomas Morley, serves to be heard more often. was so lovingly shaped and but the majority of pieces were This is not straightforward mu- phrased. from the 20th and 21st centu- sic, but the choir tackled it well, ries, many of them unfamiliar. despite a few moments of un- Elsewhere in the programme And in the breaks between cho- certainty in the male voices, there were lusty performances ral works, there was some fine and the final setting (Full Fath- of John Bennet’s All Creatures solo singing from the promising om Five) was especially effec- Now and Thomas Morley’s Now young soprano Ella Taylor, tive. is the accompanied by lutenist Jamie Month of The most substantial item in the Akers and the choir’s excellent Maying, a programme – in terms of dura- resident pianist Pete Durrant. setting by tion, if not musical weight – Ward A programme of short and was the Songs and Sonnets from widely contrasting pieces is Swingle of Shakespeare by George Shearing. It was a always a big challenge for a Yes, it’s that George Shearing, Lover and choir. There were no fewer than the great British jazz pianist his Lass, 25 individual items in this pro- who lived and worked for much gramme, many of them ar- which of his life in the USA – a case of appeared ranged in sets or sequences, but ‘coals to Newcastle’ if ever nevertheless requiring a high to owe there was one! As one might something degree of versatility, and in- expect, these short choral pieces tense concentration. to John have a jazzy piano accompani- Rutter, These qualities were much in ment, which pianist Pete Dur- and a splendid setting of the evidence: great care and atten- rant played with evident relish – same text by Madeleine Dring, tion to detail was lavished on his playing in the penultimate beautifully sung by Ella Taylor. some of the more ambitious movement, Fie on sinful fantasy, music, such as John Rutter’s was particularly enjoyable! The It was a chilly April evening in When Icicles Hang which opened choral parts, by contrast, are Poynton – more like ‘blow, blow thou winter wind’ than the programme, and Vaughan relatively simple, but they were nevertheless performed with a ‘the only pretty ringtime’ – but Williams’ lovely Three Shake- The Most Appropriate Accessory commitment and intensity those who had come ‘over hill, speare Songs, which were among Award for the Shakespeare concert which really brought them to over dale’ to Poynton were the highlights of the evening. went to Wendy Flavell for her taste- life. In fact, this was a recur- rewarded with some fine sing- The Vaughan Williams was ful and beautifully gem-encrusted rent feature throughout the ing from this excellent choir. gold witch pendant. Entries for the Sea Symphony Accessory award will be judged on concert day. David Hoult (Please note: sou’westers will not be deemed acceptable.)

Page 6 Hemiola

ST GEORGE’S SINGERS’ NEWS

Goodbye to Jo Buy, buy, buy! Listen out for Singers! We were sorry to say goodbye As part of our fund-raising for On Tuesday 19 July, a few to Jo Garbutt who has moved next season, we’re holding reg- members of St George’s Singers to Shrewsbury, and simply ular bring and buy sales on will be joining the massed ranks can’t get to Tuesday rehearsals Tuesday evenings. Please bring of the Hallé Choir and the on time any longer. (And why along anything you think peo- Manchester Chamber Choir on not Jo!). We wish her good ple may want to buy, put a stage at the Royal Albert Hall luck in her new life, and hope price ticket on it and raise mon- when they take part in the to see her again at a future con- ey for choir funds. And yes, Proms in Beethoven’s Missa cert. people do buy the strangest Solemnis. The BBC Philharmon- things for the oddest reasons: ic will be conducted by Gianan- New members – ‘That’s just the thing to hold drea Noseda. The performance People go… and people come. down my vegetable netting’. starts at 6.30 pm, and will be A warm welcome to two new – ‘Led Zeppelin reinvent Bach: broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Singers: alto Liz Jameson and that’s one I haven’t got in my Good luck to all our Singers! bass Barry Cheetham. We hope collection!’ you have a long and enjoyable – ‘It’s not my colour, but the time singing with us. dog may like it.’

CONCERT WITH CHETHAM’S

On Friday 8 July, St George’s ber 2011. She has taken part in ton Autumn concert series of Singers will be joining the masterclasses with many emi- 2014. She performed in a wind young players of Chetham’s nent flautists, has performed in quintet alongside woodwind symphony orchestra in a con- a variety of concerts during her players from the Hallé in a cert in Bridgewater Hall. The time at Chetham's, undertaken 'Chetham's meets Hallé' collab- main work is Mahler’s Sym- solo engagements at the Oundle oration concert. She also per- phony No. 1, but before that International Festival 2014 and formed with NYO in live and the Singers will be joining forc- the Leeds 2015 International televised broadcasts as part of es with Chetham’s chorus in a Concert Season, and has played the 2014 and 2015 BBC Proms, programme of opera choruses. in many major concert halls as and played with NYO at the The concert also features one of a member of the National Konzerthaus in Berlin for the Chetham’s pupils, flautist Mina Youth Orchestra. Along with Young Euro Classic festival of Middleton, in a flute concerto her guitar partner, she was in- 2015. by Nielsen. Mina began playing vited to perform in Ischia, Italy the flute at the age of 9 and as part of the Sir William Wal- Tickets £11–£20, from BWH started at Chetham’s in Septem- box office, tel 0161 907 9000.

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

The Last Night of the Proms Bradley Travis. Bradley has not sen by Wood and the compos- will be particularly worth actually sung with St George’s er. The published score even watching this year, as it features Singers, but is well known to places the initials of each soloist soloists with St George’s con- Anne Francis, who was his next to his or her lines. nections headteacher at Brookside Amongst the soloists taking One of the works being per- School some 20 years ago! part in the premiere were sopra- formed on the Last Night on 10 Serenade to Music was written in nos Isobel Baillie and Eva September is Vaughan Wil- 1938 for 16 vocal soloists and Turner, contraltos Mary Jarred liams’ Serenade to Music. orchestra, and the text is an and Margaret Balfour (Elgar’s Amongst those singing solos in adaptation of the discussion very own ‘Angel’ in his record- the work are Alison Rose, who about music in Act V of The ing of Gerontius), tenors Heddle Soprano Alison Rose is of course our soprano soloist Merchant of Venice. Vaughan Nash and Frank Titterton, and in A Sea Symphony; mezzo- Williams wrote it as a tribute to baritone Roy Henderson. soprano Anna Harvey, who Sir Henry Wood, and the solo Big shoes to fill for this year’s should have sung in Gerontius parts were composed specifical- young singers, but we look for- but had to pull out at the last ly for the voices of 16 eminent ward to hearing them all. moment; and bass-baritone British singers personally cho- Issue 52 Page 7

We’ve had some fabulous ROUND ABOUT LINCOLNSHIRE OR contributions to Hemiola from tourists, giving their versions LINCOLNSHIRE ROUNDABOUTS of the three days spent in the wilds (and flats) of Friday, 27 May tour concert. A small but appre- from our largest audience of the Lincolnshire. But in the Everyone turns up at Poynton ciative audience (mainly group- tour so far. interests of posterity and the car park to be greeted and ies, but we did spot a couple of Then back to Lincoln for the choir archives, this is the ticked off by Jo and Rhona. locals who managed to get in Choir dinner at the Doubletree official version. (The first of many tickings-off despite the fact that the front restaurant down by Lincoln over the week- door wouldn't open from the wharf. Jo and Rhona thanked end.) Jo got as outside!) gave us a round of everyone who had helped with far as the As applause, and we were free to the many aspects of the tour and found that explore Lincoln before getting organisation, including those Mary Andrew back on the bus to Boston such as Gwyneth who couldn’t wasn’t on Stump, aka St Botolph’s be there. Dave Francis (much board, but Church. to Anne’s despair) got us all up having discovered Mary had Boston is a one-stump dancing and singing Climb made other arrangements, off town. Of major importance up sunshine mountain, Part of the much larger Poppies Wave we set, with our lovely Greek centuries ago, it now Jacqui took the photos, from the Tower of London, now on Cypriot driver, Yiannis, in boasts little more than an and we all went back to the display at Lincoln Castle charge. Yiannis decided he interesting church, a mar- hotel happy. wanted to investigate the nature ket and a Prezzo’s – to Monday 30 May conservation techniques Britain which a large contingent of adopts on busy intersections, so Singers migrated after rehears- Finally: a chance to look round we circumnavigated a number al. Then back to the church for Lincoln, its castle and its cathe- of roundabouts more than once. a long (very long!) concert, dral – a serious bit of stone- But, heigh-ho! the scenery was fortunately interspersed by Pe- work, built to intimidate believ- pretty and the toll bridge over te’s brilliant piano solos, appre- ers and non-believers alike. the river not something you see ciated by our ears and our feet (And after Manchester, surely every day. in equal measure. something of a culture shock for Jeff Makinson!) But the The High Peak gradually gave Onto the bus and back to Lin- Chapter House proved to be a Dinner at the Doubletree way to the Lincolnshire coun- coln – with a diversion by Yian- delightful venue for our final tryside so it was something of a nis into a car park as he tried to recital. Jeff was playing the shock to see Lincoln Cathedral find a quick way through the organ somewhere on a hill, dominating the city. one-way system – and into the high above us as we The medieval city planners may bar for the usual second-night started to assemble, have been clued up on cathe- tour revelries. However, every- but came down to dral construction, but their one was so exhausted, the mer- say hi and give us ry-making was rather muted. (A his news – a little ploy by Neil to keep us in good Makinson is on the voice for the next day…?) way! – and stayed for our recit- Sunday 29 April al. The Chapter House was Jo and Rhona gave us an extra packed, and everyone loved our half-hour lie-in this morning performance, even demanding before we set off for Louth. an encore. Sue and Anne pre- This time Yiannis took the di- sented thankyou gifts and it was rect route (almost) but then had back on the bus for our final engagement: Evensong at modern-day successors ruined to find his way through some Southwell. the entrance to the city with a dreadfully narrow roads (well, Jo giving us our instructions for the barrier right down the centre of alleys really) before finding Southwell Minster is small in day, complete with hand gestures the main road, blocking the somewhere to park safely. comparison to the mighty Lin- we got to know very well entrance to the hotel. So Yian- Louth belied its name, and was coln, but perhaps more homely nis kindly took us on an unex- utterly charming. The church of and welcoming. After a short pected tour of Lincoln before St James offered a beautiful rehearsal with Canon Jacqui retracing our route and acoustic, and has the Jones (who got rather flum- dropping us off. tallest parish church moxed when Neil asked her to spire in the country. sing a B flat instead of a B) we Saturday 28 May Neil decided we should sang Rachmaninov in the An early start, beginning sing Totus Tuus from Crossing, processed as instruct- with an uphill walk to the beneath it (an ‘inspired’ deci- ed two-by-two into the Quire, Minster School, where we be- sion!). Even though we were navigated the Smith Responses gan rehearsal with the Psalm doing exactly the same pro- and the Psalm without repeti- we’d be singing on Monday. gramme as the previous day’s tion, hesitation or deviation, Then some quick topping and concert, everything seemed to and finished with Totus Tuus. The spire of St James in Louth tailing of today’s programme, go much more quickly, and we AND HERE ENDS THE TOUR and we were on for our first had warm and rousing applause OF LINCOLNSHIRE. Page 8 Hemiola

RANDOM (VERY) THOUGHTS ON THE TOUR OF LINCOLNSHIRE BY ERIC NORTHEY

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Awe inspiring! to religious epithets – except with the ten fingers on each when I first come into a cathe- hand that is. I’ve looked at the Now, I know that most of the dral like Lincoln, Louth or score since the tour and am choir think that the tenors are Southwell, (or on first seeing battered by the savage sadism just a bunch of pretty faces. Gorton’s ruined interior) when of Liszt’s writing. No wonder And in some cases that’s true. I find myself uttering the name it’s called Un Sospiro – a sigh. But there’s also some really of the Lord in vain dumbfound- That’s all us mortals can do deep thinkers amongst us and ment that humans can build when we open the first page. It this was brought out on the anything so transcendent. Fifty starts simply enough – I say Lincolnshire tour in a number years ago I would have blamed that, having barely mastered of ways. There’s obvious things it all on the bankers of the aris- Chopsticks – in five flats, but like our ability to assemble that tocratic classes who were bent then moves into three sharps, great work of genius, Alan on exploiting the peasants to then four sharps, then five flats Swain’s staging. There are shift and lift heavy objects again which continues to the clearly those in our number about the face of the earth, end, with only a cascade of who can measure, and, not just whilst they salted away all the accidentals to confuse one. By like myself, within a foot or two money. (Couldn’t happen to- the time I’ve worked out what either way, but really measure, day, such a thing, could it?) But keys we’re actually moving to within a bit of a millimetre. these cathedrals often took through, I’m tired. It’s time for Either way. Then there’s those three or four hundred who know about weight and years to build. Many why the colonnades and pillars of the masons, roof- of Lincoln cathedral, Boston ers, scaffolders, car- Stump and Southwell Minster, penters, glass paint- all lean over slightly at the top. ers, etc. would never And somebody might just know have lived long how and why Pete Durrant’s enough to see their playing of the Liszt Concert work completed. Étude No 3 was so grippingly They relied, I sup- beautiful. I mean, there’s only pose, on faith and eight real notes in it; the other passed on the obliga- 3,000 are mere decoration. But tion to complete it was heart-achingly lovely to these enormous structures to a lie down and a glass of Sana- listen to, each time. And we, as their children and grandchil- togen. Yet those haunting eight a choir, did a fair bit of singing dren. And thus we, 600 years notes, in different pitches and and Totus Tuus under the dome later, look along the naves of combinations, of octaves, of at Louth and in the transept at such churches and slowly lift quavers or crotchets, in the left Boston – or was it the other our gaze heavenwards up the hand crossing over to the right, way round? – I thought was slightly leaning pillars and ex- and vice versa, threes against particularly moving. However perience awe at their work. fours, fours against fives and arduous that piece is, and how- Makes you think, if not believe. one bit of sixes against sevens, ever tired we were, Neil in new majors and minors – brought something special out And what about Pete’s playing? they float in and out of con- of us that left a wonderful echo- He kindly showed me the eight sciousness throughout the day ing afterglow floating ethereally notes of the melody, at the back and are a trouble to my dreams. around the stonework. Then of the bus, using both hands But what do they mean? Any- there’s Phil Egerton’s maths – and both knees. (His, not thing, everything, something, but we’ll come back to that. mine.) And immediately, that nothing? ‘All art,’ says Walter simple melody is recalled back Pater, ‘aspires to the condi- What they all had in common, into the imagination and once tion of music’. I think he however different their form, again you hear something trans- means it has form, content, was this idea of awe. And I cendent, that soars and then structure, but doesn’t refer to wish I could define it, or at least declines against a background anything solid in the describe it. But being a died-in- of arpeggios which would chal- world that produces it. It the-soul atheist, I’m not given lenge a ten-fingered pianist, one  Issue 52 Page 9

HEY NONNY NO-ING IN LINCOLNSHIRE BY JOE KEANEY

‘A fabulous tour, performing in Minster School it was the Monday's Chapter House recit- a succession of awesome set- ‘witchy’ pieces that were spell- al standout for me was the play- tings, and singing of great com- binding – concentrated, venge- fulness of the Emma Lou Mad- plexity, verve, wit, and, at ful, focused. Fabulous diction rigals, although the bonus track times, moving intensity.’ Well, with crisp, punchy endings. of an encore (some singers per- that's what I would want to forming off copy!) was a joy too post on my Twitter account if I The Saturday evening concert and sent a large, appreciative had one. in St Botolph's in Boston was audience away with Finzi ring- my absolute highlight of the ing in their ears. A sign of a good concert is al- tour, especially the first half of ways how snatches of music the concert as the setting sun In Southwell Minster where Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House and song earworm their way streamed in through the stained a thoughtful evensong was led into your head for days after the glass, giving everything a lumi- by a prayerful Canon Jacqui, event – and the five concerts nous orangey glow and The the Bogoroditsye impacted most across three days in Lincoln- souls of the righteous moved mov- forcibly, a longing tender lulla- shire and Southwell have cer- ingly, stately, profoundly in the by travelling to us in the con- tainly done that. Although one Hand of God. Extraordinarily gregation from what seemed such line sung by gents of a intense singing with breath- like beyond the city walls. certain maturity did somewhat taking silences that visibly Throughout the tour Neil ‘just jar. ‘Come kiss me sweet and moved you singers – it was watch me’ Taylor's conducting twenty’. Really? Maybe not, fascinating to notice the ‘apple was as clear and emphatic as fellas. in the throat’ moment, like a ever and Pete Durrant's playing ripple, affect different singers at But the fact that I could pick was exquisite – two brilliantly different moments during the out words, especially in the chosen pieces, elegant, delicate, piece. You all communicated linguistically challenging wistful and brooding in turns – the emotion of the music ‘witchy’ pieces, proves just how the performance in St Botolph's so directly and so well. clear and focused your diction was spine-tingling. And he was was throughout – skippy and In Sunday's concert at St James' able to join the men in the back playful when heigh nonny no- Louth it was the soaring gran- row, as required. ing, spiky and cruel around the deur of Totus Tuus under the So in summary, a wonderful cauldron. The drama of the tower at the back of the church tour with some memorable pieces came across, helped in that moved me most, the rich singing moments. And the tune no small measure by the ex- ringing tones of the men tum- I haven't been able to get out of traordinary venues you sang in. bling up the aisle like incense, my head while composing this? engulfing a rapt audience. Here are my highlights. At the ‘Lulla, lulla, lullaby/Lulla, lulla, lullaby’.

is signifiers without signi- than there are whole numbers. And Phil rightly said, ‘And fieds. Of the universe, but But there’s an infinite number that’s beautiful!’ It’s like the somehow not in it. Yet strong of whole numbers. So, where fleeting notes that float out of enough to move us frequently do these extra ones live? Like those Liszt arpeggios, or the ‘to thoughts that do often lie Liszt’s notes, they’re of the uni- soaring columns of the Boston too deep for tears’. verse, but not in it. The most Stump. Of the universe, but not notorious of these numbers is in it. So, temporarily, I’ve given And talking of tears, there’s just called ‘e’- probably for eric. up the lifetime pursuit of trying Phil Egerton’s maths. You And it just goes on and on and to figure out what awe is. Per- might think we’re just guzzling on – just like Eric. But Phil haps just the sensation of it – in and gossiping in the tea breaks, spent the Tuesday after the architecture, music and poetry but recently, Phil, Jonathan and Lincoln trip deriving ‘e’ from – is more satisfying than actu- I have been trying to recall first principles. Jean said it kept ally knowing how it’s caused. Modern candle holders in what we once knew – in their him quiet all day. She seemed Lincoln Cathedral cases, well; in mine, vaguely. pleased. And he brought in a ‘Hope so’, I sigh. Like, what are logarithms? page of workings out that (and, What’s this ‘to the power 10’ The poshest loos in the country at I have to put me glasses on Lincoln Castle business? And most basically, now), lead to this: what the hell are numbers? I can see where there might be d (log a x ) = 1 loge a five sharps or five flats in the dx x Liszt, because they’re there and But if we use logs to base e, ie fixed on the stave – but what Natural logarithms, then, about numbers that go on and d (loge x ) = 1 on for ever and ever? Gödel dx x tells us there are more of them, Page 10 Hemiola

LINCOLN: THE UNCUT VERSION BY SARAH LIONHEART

Things that need straightening and driving 90 minutes out. back. I asked him because someone had We had the most patient bus said it was near Grims- driver in the world, who went by where Bill was on down far too narrow streets the boat. A lot of peo- when asked and manoeuvred ple could be heard the massive coach with skill and saying things like expertise. ‘where are we in rela- Interesting fact: Choir tour is tion to Nottingham? great for finding out who Or Sheffield? Or Eng- snores. I now have a list. land even?’ Lincoln The small but perfectly formed Southwell Minster It does just what it says on the was not an area a lot of signpost The Black Shoe Curse of Lin- us knew well. When coln. One of our esteemed or- rigeur to act like you knew what Bill discovered we were singing the hell was going on. So I ganisers discovered she had at Louth the next day he point- forgotten her black shoes and so learned the tune by ear and put ed out with slightly clenched in lots of up arrows and down put her socks on over her red teeth that Louth is only 35 shoes, in something that will be arrows on my sheet and happi- minutes from Grimsby. ly sang 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 known for future tours as The Oooops. Rhona Trick. up and down and backwards Then I discovered 30 seconds but didn’t have a clue why. Then she passed the curse on to before rehearsal in Lincoln Then eventually when we had her roommate. As I walked Cathedral that I had left my done that, we got to the tune I through Lincoln castle gateway, debit card in the machine at had learned from memory. I both my shoes disintegrated House of Fraser café, at the guess it is a secret code known beneath me leaving one choir bottom of the hill. It was a long only to Anglican choristers. member approaching me with a way down and a very, very Then there was the moment on wedge of shoe sole in their long haul back up the hill. hands saying ‘I think this might the way home Vicky went. Heroic. when one of the belong to you, you seem to be Gold Star. shedding.’ So I stopped at the first aiders was Some Choir members managed to market and bought a pair of Then we visited herding people get the staging to the church without black shoes for all of £3. I then Southwell Minster. across a busy road leaving it in the market looked around for my piece of One of my forebears to the petrol sta- staging that I had leant against got there first in 1194 tion for emergency the stall. It was gone! How on but I am the first rations. Cars earth was I going to explain Lionheart to sing stopped. In their THAT to the choir: ‘I lost the there. They will now tracks. In respect. staging between the coach and have to carve THAT We were obvious- the church’. I asked Alan what I on the stones. [Ed: ly a coach of griev- should do (before being shot at whilst tradition ing mourners from dawn). He said he picked it up holds that Richard a funeral, all as he went by. Relief. did indeed have a dressed in black. good voice and even So members filed Premier Inn had wonderful Sarah ‘The Lionheart’ sang here out of the coach The market outside Lincoln Castle composed songs, baths and lashings of hot water. there is no prima facie and across the We had baths twice a day, the evidence of him singing in road. Alison came ideal way to unwind but be- Southwell. We therefore let this out of the coach and in all the cause they filled so quickly you comment stand.] bustle of trying to encourage could turn them on and then people to get across quickly make a cup of tea and low and There was the dance at the someone gave her an encourag- behold you now had a small dinner. I know it is fashionable ing nudge forward. Nearly into pond in the bathroom and a to look horrified at doing silly the path of an unseen car. As swimming pool. things but I was rather heart- Rhona said: ‘We didn’t do too ened that other choir members badly really, we only killed one Then there are the Groupie can be silly too. It was funny choir member at the end.’ Boston mer- Awards. To be honest, all the maids and and harmless and daft and Lincoln swans people who came with choir on made most of us smile but we There were other hilarious mo- our tour deserve this award. probably shouldn’t encourage ments but they have been cen- Two people immediately come him too much. sored. I can reveal in person a to mind: Bill for driving 90 mins select few for a small donation through Lincolnshire to attend Ah, now then, the psalm. Well, to choir funds. our concert at Boston Stump I was baffled from day one. But I was also aware that it was de Issue 52 Page 11

DRAGONS TAKE ON THE WITCHES

Having brave-hearted the Hodgson added reluctantly, ‘Is ways Forshaw finished a mar- ‘Scottish Play’ on the heaths of this a driver which I see before ginal winner on the final two Silverknowes and Braid Hills in me, the handle towards my days, Blaster Bluck dominated Edinburgh some two years ago, hand?’ by such a large margin on the the 2014 SGS Dragons trophy first day (because stableford winner, Peter ‘Fairways’ The SGS Dragons (Disciples of points make prizes) that he Forshaw asked, ‘Where shall Recreational Activity of Golf earned the Dragons Trophy. (A we three meet again, in thun- Open to Non-Singers) recently new trophy this year, the previ- der, lightning, or in rain?’. re-convened in Lincolnshire to ous one having been mislaid by enjoy three local courses, Bos- The Dragons were proud recipients ‘When there’s golfing to be Fairways in a recent house of the Wooden Spoon award from Jo ton West and Gainsborough’s done, where rounds are lost and move.) When interviewed after for their support of the Choir on tour won’ responded Steven ‘Blaster’ Thonock Park and Karsten the event, Peter said he was so – they attended only one concert, Bluck. John ‘Hit and Hope’ Lakes, expertly selected by Ste- relieved to get to Lincoln with- and disappeared when staging ve Bluck, who out incident, after last year’s needed moving, programmes hand- also booked ing out, and missing items retrieving. transport debacle, that he over- Still, we’re glad they came – tours perfect weather relaxed and let the trophy slip. for the week- wouldn’t be the same without our groupies! end. The Dragons are always on the look-out for extra players – but Notwithstand- probably not in Costa Rica. ing that Fair- This year’s winner of the prestigious (and newly pur- chased) Dragon’s Trophy was Steve Bluck, here seen dragging the trophy from the grasp of last year’s winner Peter Forshaw

LONG-LOST SHEPHERD FOUND IN BOSTON

One of the great joys of going Singers 55 years on choir tours is the serendipity ago when he was factor: discovering facts or arte- at Stockport facts, visiting previously un- Grammar. Geof- known places, or encountering frey Verney was strangers often turns up unlike- the musical direc- ly St George’s connections. tor at the time, Lincolnshire was no different. and he asked Da- vid to accompany Whilst waiting for the concert the choir on occa- to start in St Botolph’s church sions. The last in Boston we were told by the time he heard the verger that someone at the choir sing was in church had a very special link the Wood St Mark with Poynton: the church or- David Shepherd – a long-term Passion [1960] and Bach’s St supporter of St George’s Singers ganist, David Shepherd. John Passion [1961], after which David came across St George’s he left the area and moved to dered if it could possibly be the Lincoln- same choir he had known so shire. long ago, so came along to listen to the concert. He was When he thrilled to find out it was, and heard that even more delighted to see and a choir hear how the choir has moved called St on in the intervening period. George’s Singers was com- ing to sing at St Botolph’s he won-

In concert at St Botulph’s Church, Boston St George’s Singers

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Millington (Chair), 01924 694668 [email protected]

Jacqui Smith (Secretary), 01625 875437 [email protected]

Susan Hodgson (Hemiola Editor) [email protected]

Jean Egerton (Publicity), 01625 871371 [email protected] St George’s Singers was formed in 1956 by Rev Eric Chapman and Geoffrey Ver- ney, organist and choirmaster of St George’s Church, Poynton in Cheshire, where the Choir still rehearses every Tuesday night. Geoffrey’s dream was to build a community choir, capable of performing major choral works to a high standard Find us on the web at: and which would attract singers and audiences from neighbouring towns. Geof- www.st-georges-singers.org.uk. frey died in 1964, but his legacy was nurtured by his successors Duncan Eyre, Ray Lomax and Stephen Williams, and is continued by our present Musical Director,

Neil Taylor. St George’s Singers is recognised as one of the leading and most

innovative choirs in the North West of England, performing an astonishingly Hemiola is sent to all Friends of St George’s varied repertoire, and with around 100 members drawn from an area far beyond Singers, and a digital version goes to those on the community of Poynton. We present at least four major concerts a year, in our Mailing List. To receive a regular copy, venues including The Bridgewater Hall, Gorton Monastery, Manchester Cathe- complete the Mailing List registration on the dral and Royal Northern College of Music, hold annual Singing Days, and tour website, or contact the Publicity Officer. regularly in the UK and abroad. St George’s Singers continues to explore and expand the boundaries of choral music, and communicating the sheer enjoyment of singing together. Entry to the Choir is via audition, and new members are welcome to come along to rehearsals at any time.

CHESHIRE CONSORT NEWS

The Cheshire Consort, the our brides. Another popular ST GEORGE’S CONCERT DIARY wedding chamber choir formed favourite is The Lord is my Shep- 2015–16 Season by St George’s Singers, has a herd. The 23rd Psalm has been busy summer ahead with wed- set by many composers over the ding ceremonies at churches 26 June 106 centuries, but the version by across Cheshire. Howard Goodall, with its gen- Vaughan Williams: tle waltz rhythm and lyrical Amongst the music we will be A Sea Symphony soprano solo is the one we are performing this summer is one – songs with a spiritual or mor- Holst: performing most often this sum- of our favourite works: Eric al dimension that speak to mer. You may not immediately Hymns from the Rig Veda, Whitacre’s This Marriage. The them very personally. This recognise it from the descrip- Ave Maria composer wrote the piece for summer the Consort is adding tion, but it is actually the theme his wife on the occasion of a number of previously un- Ticket Hotline: 01663 764012 tune to The Vicar of Dibley! their seventh wedding anniver- known hymns to our repertoire [email protected] – thankyou to our brides and sary, and he describes it as ‘a Hymns always play a major www.st-georges-singers.org.uk grooms for introducing us to small and simple gift to my part in all wedding ceremonies: them. wife’. The words are by Jalal they engage the guests in the 8 July 2016 ad-Din Rumi, the renowned ceremony, give people the For more information about Mahler: Symphony No. 1 13th-century poet and mystic, chance to enjoy a rousing song, The Cheshire Consort, please Nielsen: Flute Concerto and offer up a blessing for the and allow the bride and groom go to the website marriage about to be entered time to catch their breath and Mascagni: Opera Choruses www.cheshireconsort.org.uk, into. prepare for the next part of the or follow us on Facebook. Tickets from Bridgewater Hall service! Wedding couples often The ever popular John Rutter 0161 807 9000 choose traditional hymns they We wish all our brides and is also on the orders of service, have known since childhood; grooms the very best for the with his For the beauty of the some go for modern hymns; future – and cross our fingers earth amongst those selected by whilst others prefer non-hymns for the weather!