Day 22: Handel Watermusic

Day 22: Handel Watermusic

I didn’t have time to listen to the whole of the Watermuisc, so I concentrated on the Suite in F major! The movements included are based on dances - Air, Minuet, Bouree and Hornpipe. Played by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, conduced by Nicholas McGegan, this was a real blast from the past and not something I would normally chose to listen to.

So much of it was familiar! I remember doing a simplified version of the Bouree with the school orchestra when I was about 13, and I’m sure I must have done some of other movements when I used to play the violin! All in all, it’s an excellent example of the music of the time. Apparently, it is thought the suites were composed to accompany what were known as water parties, on the Thames.

According to the CD insert:

“The three discrete Suites of the Watermusick present an abundance of festive panoply, an amalgam of extroverted instrumentation, unambiguous tunefulness, and vigorous rhythms.” – George Gelles

Day 2: The Messiah

Day 2: 21 April 2012, The Messiah.

In preparation for singing The Messiah in Lichfield Cathedral, I did, of course listen to it to remind myself of the quality - and quantity - of this choral masterpiece by Handel.

I've sung it a number of times before, but never in a cathedral, with an impressive organ and organist! Yet again, I discovered another enthusiastic and committed choir master, in Cathy Lamb, standing in for her husband who was off on a trip to Africa to find a venue and tour route for the Cathedral Chorus to sing at.

Listening to my CD at home, I was reminded of just how much I love not only the alto solos, but also the bass "The people that walked in darkness", and how, even though I think I can't possibly know the whole 257 pages of music, a lot of it is, in fact, quite familiar.

It is rather long though, but I was moved enough to listen to it all. I don't think I've ever sung the whole lot with a choir though; different choir masters have different views, choosing to retain different pieces, but rarely doing the whole thing.

Listening to The Messiah has reminded me of just how much I love choral music and how much I love singing.

Wondering what tomorrow's choice of music will be, given that The Messiah is such a hard act to follow!