Rudsamblog

We had a very productive rehearsal last night.

Think long and sustained, without gaps, and with presence in the long notes. When you have the tune, phrase in an arc shape, and when you are accompanying think of lending colour to the tune. Use the dynamics. 'Bm' should be like a laser beam and the rhythm steady throughout the piece (think drumbeat).

Derrick will beat in quavers at the start. Sopranos, bright f-sharp, and basses don't be sharp on the a. Everyone, try to think of it as a natural tune and sing the notes as they are, without sliding between them. Basses, only sing the low e if you have it. Everyone watch the L - don't make it too long (try 'lit-tool lamb'?).

We worked hard on this, especially on the notes at the bottom of page 4. N.b. bouche fermée should be mouth half-open. Tenors, keep the d-natural high in the 2nd bar of p 3. and write in the flat in the first bar of p 4, last note. Sopranos, first entry not so quiet, The fermata on p. 5 will be very short. Think of the piece being gorgeous, and the dynamics as colours rather than volume level. Sing it with intention and a minimum of doubt. Think of the words and keep a sense of line. The acoustic in the venues will help.

Watch Derrick, because the tempo will change with each verse. Be sillier.

Connect bars 16 and 17 - no breath. Basses, try not to get behind. Page 6, hold the musical tension throughout, especially on 'plorat' - make it feel like an effort to get to the upper note (!). Sopranos, on the long d-sharp, start to decrescendo on the 3rd beat, and float.

Cheers

April