Thursday, September 26, 2019
Notes from rehearsal on 25th September 2019, by April
Poulenc, O Magnum
Mysterium
We did a lot of work on notes for this. There are tricky
moments in all parts.
Try to get the rhythm and tempo correct at the outset, and
be precise with rests.
In general, keep thirds bright at cadences (eg tenors the a
in bar 5, etc etc).
Sopranos in particular, think about phrasing, and basses try
not to scoop.
‘Bouche fermé’ –
actually keep mouths slightly open.
Sopranos, take out the tied semiquaver b-flat page 4, bottom
system, 2nd bar.
Please note: it’s not as slow as you think! Don’t drag.
Think about expressive, beautiful lines.
Betinis, Dormi Jesu
Think of this as ‘romantic’ music, and sing it that way.
The transition into p 5 is tricky – remember that there are
still sharps in the key signature!
Altos, tenors and basses, note the pause in b. 42-43 and
don’t come in on first beat.
Page 7, words are important. Emphasise them and think of
where the strong syllables should fall. Use the commas.
Sopranos, take a quaver off of the f-sharp and b in bars 47
and 48.
Page 6, think about shape within the falling intervals
Sopranos, crescendo in bars 35 and 36.
All, sing through the suspensions.
We need to work to secure the notes in this piece, and
centre on them (especially tenors and basses at the top of p 5).
Saturday, September 21, 2019
rehearsal on 18.9.19, Gordon taking notes
Present:-
Derrick, Kirsty, Marie Claire, Ellen, John W, Charlie, Gordon, Ewan, David, John K, Robin returning to the fold, Synnove trying us out, Klára, April
Oh Nata Lux, Tallis
Sing it like a dance, light with varied emphasis
Phrasing like an echo
3:2 = 6:4
sarabande, a slow elegant dance
If You Love Me
Sops - bar 16, tendency to go flat
Everyone - remember 'spirit' is condensed to 'sprit'
Basses - work on the rhythm in bar 22
Sops - whatever you did in bar 14 was perfect
Dormi Jesu, Betinis
A lot of hard work on this difficult piece, needs reinforced at home
'Almost sounds like the right music at the moment', will click soon!
Don't try to slow it down, it'll go flat
Remember open vowels
Bar 12, - ATB hold it until end of 3rd beat, with Sops
Bar 15 - Altos beware the double sharp
Bar 16 - Basses, practice this phrase at home
bar 17/18 - Basses 'blah-ndu', ie attach the n to the du
Bar 39 - Basses the 'in' is 2 beats
Ends in the warm bath of B major
O Magnum Mysterium, Lauridsen
A gentle start with an open 'o'
Bar 36 - 'pio' is one syllable, ends with a short 'aw'
Bar 46 - Basses split into 3 - G/E top, J middle, C bottom
Bar 63 - Baritones emphasis the chord change in the 'se' but still Piano
For next week
Poulenc's O Magnum Mysterium and more on Dormi Jesu
Gordon. 21.9.19
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Rehearsal notes - 11th September
Rehearsal notes: Special back to school edition! by The Dragon
Lauridsen - Magnum
- Watch pitch throughout - this is vital (especially bass/tenor)
- Pure vowels, not nasal, e.g. in "sacramentum" and "prasepio" (nb we are going back to pronouncing this as written, not with an extended "i" sound)
- Sops: add comma at bar 45 before "Al-le"
O Nata Lux (Tudor book)
- Altos: watch for Fnat/Fsharp distinction
- Bass: Sing openly, don't swallow notes
Poulenc - Hodie
- Natus is on a downbeat
- MARK YOUR BEATS
- Keep it light
- Don't cut quavers short
Poulenc - Magnum
- Watch for rhythm and harmony
Dormi Jesu - Bettinis
- Look at this
- It is not Poulenc!
