Rudsamblog

We had a really good rehearsal at Priestfield, led by Marie-Claire and Ellen. If you weren't there, then note-bashing three pieces will let you catch up. 

We began with the Villa-Lobos Ave Maria. In the opening section up to "Jesus", it's important to maintain crisp timing, particularly of dotted notes, and to make clear consonants - otherwise it sounds like a prolonged and shapeless hooting.

We then spent a while on the Hosanna of the Guerrero mass, and managed to sing through it with some satisfaction. At least one non-polyphonist was heard to say "when we actually sing it, it sounds really nice".

Ellen then took over for the Lauridsen. With a couple of runs through, it is coming back to our collective memory. The last sequence of "cuando yo muero..." needs to be maintained at a vigorous f and ff right through to its final diminuendo before the concluding "quiero tus manos ... te espero" section.