Month: December 2018

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.