Gibbons, Byrd and Tye..live tonight at 7.30

[BBMmk2]

Not at all. Pleased to answer any of your questions in similarly clairvoyant manner, if I can...

[Gabriel Jackson]

<< The conductors of two such ensembles regularly work with the BBC Singers... >>

And your point is? It is the material programmed and the sound produced that is at issue, not the conductors. The BBCS sound much the same whoever is conducting them IMO.

It was a simple enough point but there you go. Do you think that the programme, and indeed the sound produced by the group, have nothing to do with the conductor? Why do you think those conductors of specialist early music groups work with the BBC Singers if they are so wrong for the repertoire?

[ardcarp]

[DracoM]

It was a simple enough point but there you go. Do you think that the programme, and indeed the sound produced by the group, have nothing to do with the conductor? Why do you think those conductors of specialist early music groups work with the BBC Singers if they are so wrong for the repertoire?

[Beresford]

Is it just me, I am not keen on their sound?

Me neither. I always get the impression that they are a group of highly talented soloists (operatic style) rather than a choir, and that, although they can sing anything, they always sing it the same way. Except at Princess Di's funeral - part of Verdi's requiem.
I vaguely remember Peter Philips conducting them about a year ago - it sounded like a lion-tamer at work - getting their roars to meld. About 20 years ago they were really good at tackling any difficult modern music.

[Bryn]

Me neither. I always get the impression that they are a group of highly talented soloists (operatic style) rather than a choir, and that, although they can sing anything, they always sing it the same way. ...

IIRC, 45 years ago Sarah Walker (no, not the Essential Classics one) was of their number, and also did a very good Cathy Berberian style Cage Aria, etc. in her own right.

[ardcarp]

Indeed in recent celebrations of The BBCS's 90th year, the point was made that in former decades, a much greater percentage of their work was tackling difficult contemporary stuff. I hope I won't infuriate anyone by making the sweeping generalisation that contemporary contemporary stuff ain't so difficult.