Messiah

Another performance of the Messiah and this time back to the original venue. Is it fifteen or more times now?: from the small churches to the international venues.

The chorus comprised 130 people this time and it showed. The volume overall was impressive and as Shazz noted, the balance was better between male and female voices. More man with a better balance and power.

The soloists dod well with projecting in such as venue which maybe was helped for us being in seas quite low down though not the stalls.

I really enjoyed the experience and would probably rate it as number 1 in the hit parade of Messiah performances. Maybe we will have the opportunity of listening to the Huddersfield Chorus again sometime.

Carols at the Cathedral

Thursday night after work and we were at Westminster Cathedral; the Catholic version.

Shazz wanted to go to a big carols event and the evening here was available. It was a paid event but full all the same. I suppose used to help with the upkeep of the building and support the musical infrastructure: choir, musical directors and I assume and organ that is not cheap to keep in ideal condition.

The evening was a combination of music and readings. The latter delivered by a variety of well known individuals.

There were German language carols and traditional English language ones. Maria wiegenlied was beautiful whereas the arrangement for Wachet auf did not seem to work so well for me. Sometimes the choir was difficult to appreciate. O come all ye faithful and Hark! the herald angels sing were winners as to be expected.

I loved the John Betjeman poem ‘The Advent wind begins to stir’ which was read by one of EQ’s favourite actors.

Keep the music flowing!

Frustration?

I can’t follow anymore. After two years of negotiations, the Tory government wants to delay the vote. Just keep in mind that we will never let the Irish down. This delay will further aggravate the uncertainty for people & businesses. It’s time they make up their mind! #brexit— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) December 10, 2018

Brexit – saga continues

Pause… to what end?

So today there government has announced that the vote on the exit deal is to be delayed. It is clear the government does not have the support to win the vote. This has been much talked about for the last week. So now we have a delay to allow May to go to Europe looking for more concessions. 

However, how realistic is that? The EU has been clear that this is the deal and further negotiations are not on the cards. They have said that for a while, which of course, they would. But is there reason to doubt their position? May has been saying as part of her strategy that the deal is not re-negotiable – and yet…….

This is all so ridiculous. Where is this going? 

A deferred inevitable rejection of the deal and more time wasted.

Trip to Griffin Park

A overcast day and disappointing game against the Swans.

Brentford played poorly and offered little to give confidence. Not helped by letting in a goal within 20 seconds. 3-nil down within 20 something minutes and a crowd that could not find more than a whisper.

There was murmuring everywhere with the typical reaction to sack the manager. I am not sure of the necessary response but his hold on employment does look precarious.

A run of bad form and poor football

Championship

Brentford 1-2 Middlesbrough: Boro hold on to move back to second

Marcus Tavernier
Middlesbrough’s victory kept them within two points of leaders Norwich

Middlesbrough returned to second in the Championship as they held off a late Brentford fightback to win at Griffin Park.

After a relatively quiet, goalless first half, Jordan Hugill tapped in to put the visitors in front.

When Marcus Tavernier’s downward header doubled the lead soon afterwards, the points looked safe, but Alan Judge fired in to pull one back for Brentford.

A tense finale followed but Darren Randolph did well to save from the Bees’ Josh Da Silva as Boro claimed back-to-back victories.

The hosts, for whom defeat was their fifth in six games, had chances to level after Judge’s effort, but Sergi Canos’ low shot lacked the power to trouble Randolph.

I had to leave at half- time so I could reach the RAH on time for the music. Kick- off changed to 5-30pm for the sake of TV- very annoying.

The football was again very frustrating. Brentford again played in their usual style which to me has become a cliche of football – possession without purpose. At one point the player with the most forward passes must have been the goalkeeper with his ‘hoofs’ up the pitch. The ball is passed along the back four but no one has the confidence, skill or permission to take the ball forward and commit the opposition who are able to remain back, covering space and not really being troubled. So as ever the stats give a lie to the effectiveness of the ‘Bees’. Players seem to not know each other.

I am finding it hard to be excited even though I have missed a few games with being away.

The Beesotted podcast and the fans response seems to place more emphasis on the opposition and bad periods during a match. I think there is something more fundamental going wrong.

Brexit deal agreed (?)

May speaking at news conference

Theresa May says she agrees with EU officials that this “is the best and only deal possible”.

The EU 27 sign along but will the UK Parliament agree? Most commentary says not- for the government the numbers do not stack up it appears. To reach this point after the draft document a week ago the UK has had to deal with last minute demands from the French  over fisheries and the Spanish over the status of Gibraltar. It appears the French have managed to exert power over the trade off for fisheries and the May acquiesced to demands of Spain giving the impression of another last minute climb down by the UK.

So where are we in the process? Not sure. Where to when this deal fails in the House of Commons? Though ministers are doing the ‘this is the deal and its failure will lead to fall of the government ( and so Corbyn in fear)’ and the buying off of opposing factions within the Conservative Party.

It is coming to a head but I am not sure where we are going.