Elijah

Left home at 8 a.m. and we got to Acton early so found Adan's cafe and had coffee. Coach was early and we reached Cardiff after one stop around 1.30 p.m. Rehearsal went well. To St David's cathedral for mass - unaccompanied hymns and people saying everything faster than the celebrant who was probably the Dean. The reredos is most distracting during Mass - too bright and dramatic with diamond shapes. The concert went very well and Owain Arwel Hughes on good form. Bryn Terfel was the best Elijah ever - commanding, fantastic diction "leap upon the altar" a good example. Ohter soloists very good including the boy. Jean and Doreen there and the Judds. Chatted to Christopher Allsop the organist of Worcester cathedral who was playing. Ian Ball has left to go to Gloucester, Roger Judd to Hereford from Windsor. Left 10 p.m. and with one stop at Acton by 2 a.m. and home in bed by 2.50 a.m. having slept on coach and finished "Arabesk" by Barbara Nadel.

Comments

Edbowie said…
By your comment do you mean that Messrs Ball and Judd have taken up posts at Gloucester and Hereford Cathedrals respectively? I recall Ian Ball when he was assistant at Bristol. He had a real flair for the French Romantic repertoire and for improvisation.
22 July 2008 at 17:14
John the organist said…
That's correct Ed. I met Ian at Salisbury organ course and Roger we know through his wife Alison who sang in the chorus with us. They were at the Elijah concert I'm told. Simon Bell is off to Winchester - there are lots of moves afoot!
28 July 2008 at 23:13
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