I've just given an off-air DVD a spin, from 10 Sept 2010 PROM, of the Vespers; several choirs, English Baroque Soloists, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, Monteverdi Choir/JEG. An enormous sense of ritual and occasion in the capacious space of the RAH. Refreshing.
Incidentally, I recall a discussion on the R3 boards some years ago covering one of the early post-war performances of the Vespers at York Minster, June 1957, as part of the York Festival of the Arts. I was playing in the Mystery Plays at the time and we were given access to the afternoon rehearsal. I knew nothing about the impact of the work or the extraordinary experience of hearing the voice of Alfred Deller in performance. No subsequent performance has passed that particular occasion.
Incidentally, I recall a discussion on the R3 boards some years ago covering one of the early post-war performances of the Vespers at York Minster, June 1957, as part of the York Festival of the Arts. I was playing in the Mystery Plays at the time and we were given access to the afternoon rehearsal. I knew nothing about the impact of the work or the extraordinary experience of hearing the voice of Alfred Deller in performance. No subsequent performance has passed that particular occasion.
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