A British composer's ambitious quest to premier a requiem in the highly atmospheric Abney Park cemetery by lantern light.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
The Pepys Motet
Pissed as a fart. It was amazing. I was terribly proud and utterly humbled and there was a standing ovation. The choir were remarkable. I cried. Goodnight, Mr Pepys - and thank you.
A triumph - something like 40 soloists taking part all in different gear - including full Navy uniform with swords, Magdalen College students in their gowns, folk singers in their weird stuff, gospel singers doing lots of swaying and some amazing 'show-girls and boys'. Marvellous voices every one. The church looked fabulous with the new lights picking out details.
Just brilliant and inspired - it must reach a wider audience. The 40 singers made a circle round the church at one point and sang an extraordinary canon - it was terribly moving. WOW!!!
Hiding behind a pillar I might have been, but I was totally bowled over by the motet last night. Especially the final movement - couldn't work out in earlier entries what you meant by "in the round", but the effect was just stunning.
Score brilliant, and performances amazing. Like the guy above said... WOW!
Many congratulations Benjamin! What a lucky choir to sing under your baton and to your own masterpiece. Do hope some pics were taken so those of us who did not attend can get a bit of an idea of how it was presented.
As far as the last question about a CD being cut, any chance of a compilation one?
I was there. It was fabulous. The final part with the choir surrounding the audience was one of the most spine tingling experiences of my life. It was what the Celts would call a thin place between earth and heaven. Congratulations Ben and all who worked to make such a splendid occasion happen.
Congratulations, Benjamin! From what I hear it was a triumph. I wish I could have been there.
ReplyDeleteDitto what erica said. Well done Ben big hugs to you and Nathan xx
ReplyDeleteA triumph - something like 40 soloists taking part all in different gear - including full Navy uniform with swords, Magdalen College students in their gowns, folk singers in their weird stuff, gospel singers doing lots of swaying and some amazing 'show-girls and boys'. Marvellous voices every one. The church looked fabulous with the new lights picking out details.
ReplyDeleteJust brilliant and inspired - it must reach a wider audience. The 40 singers made a circle round the church at one point and sang an extraordinary canon - it was terribly moving. WOW!!!
Congratulations Ben. Wish we could have been there.
ReplyDeleteCircus Envy xx
Hiding behind a pillar I might have been, but I was totally bowled over by the motet last night. Especially the final movement - couldn't work out in earlier entries what you meant by "in the round", but the effect was just stunning.
ReplyDeleteScore brilliant, and performances amazing. Like the guy above said... WOW!
YOU DID IT BENJ!!! It happened & it was marvellous. Absolutely wish i could have been there. Am proud and happy for you from 5,000 miles away xxx
ReplyDeleteIs there any chance of a CD being cut?
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations Benjamin! What a lucky choir to sing under your baton and to your own masterpiece. Do hope some pics were taken so those of us who did not attend can get a bit of an idea of how it was presented.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the last question about a CD being cut, any chance of a compilation one?
I was there. It was fabulous. The final part with the choir surrounding the audience was one of the most spine tingling experiences of my life. It was what the Celts would call a thin place between earth and heaven. Congratulations Ben and all who worked to make such a splendid occasion happen.
ReplyDelete