This Thursday, we attempted a virtual rehearsal online. Like 'social distancing', 'furlough' and other terms that have entered everyday vocabulary in recent weeks, we headed to Zoom, the video conference call application which must be enjoying a surge in its share price. It was lovely to see everyone together at the same time, if not the same place, and unlike a real rehearsal it was a punctual start! As everyone who has tried to have a video conference call will appreciate, the various lag times of the singers' connections made singing together challenging to say the least.But importantly we all had a lot of fun!
CHOIR DESERT ISLAND DICS
A regular post where members of the choir share their favourite musical choices.
This week, we hear from Louisa Dobson (alto), Chris Hughes (tenor), and Brooke Adams (bass). Who are you isolated with at the moment?
Louisa: I am with my mum
Chris: My wife, Teresa
Brooke: Currently isolating with my wife but back to work in the NHS next week.
What are you reading at the moment?
Louisa: I’ve just finished Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer. She is one of my favourite authors! I’m also dipping in and out of a novel called The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes which is about Shostakovich.
Chris: Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski and I shall not hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish.
Brooke: Nanda Devi. The tragic expedition - story of the 1976 expedition by John Roskelley.
What is your favorite choral recording?
Louisa: My favourite choral recording is Victoria Requiem by Tenebrae, which also happens to be my favourite piece to sing. My favourite Ebor Recording is the Ceremony of Carols.
Chris: Can a Choral symphony count? If so, it's Mahler's 2nd Symphony. New York Phil & LSO, Bernstein, Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Janet Baker and Sheila Armstrong recorded in 1974 at the Edinburgh festival. Otherwise it's Verdi Requiem, Von Karajan, La Scala orchestra and chorus, price, cossotto, Pavarotti and Ghiaurov soloists. My favourite Ebor recording is New Horizons, in particular Moore's Pilgrimage.
Brooke: Bach B minor mass (especially Cum sancto spiritu), Yorkshire Bach Choir 2011.
Music for Troubled Times is my favourite Ebor recording but having only recently joined the choir I'm still working my way through listening to the back catalogue!
What is your favourite recording of any genre?
Louisa: Groundhog Day the Musical. Music by Tim Minchin. Quite fitting for what we are going through at the moment.
Chris: Classical it's probably Tosca, with Berliner Philharmoniker and Von Karajan. Other it's either Iron Maiden's Eddie the Great or London Electricity's Syncopated City.
Brooke: Impossible question! Currently enjoying Wieniawski Violin Concerto 1&2 (Vadim Brodski with National Polish Radio Symphony 2013).
Words of greeting to wider world!
Louisa: One day soon we all will be together if the fates allow, until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow. So have yourself a very merry Easter now.
Chris: Please help. Send Gin. Been in isolation for over a week and a half!
Brooke: Hang on in there. Stay home and enjoy listening to the wealth of wonderful music out there - especially Ebor Singers!