As I drove home today, I switched on Radio 3 and was pleased to hear the choral version of VW’s Serenade to Music.
I was listening to this “blind” without preconceptions. Alongside some very fine orchestral playing, the choir didn’t sound particularly involved, but as time went on, I began to question its overall quality. There was so much excessive vibrato that I was prepared to forgive and forget the BBC Singers for their past transgressions, who had never sounded as bad as this. It was dire.
At the end, awaited the announcer’s revelation of the culprits. It WAS the BBC Singers. I was beginning to believe they had finally begun to improve, based on some recent broadcasts. Alas, no. The sopranos sounded like mermaids being strangled. Horrific!
I was listening to this “blind” without preconceptions. Alongside some very fine orchestral playing, the choir didn’t sound particularly involved, but as time went on, I began to question its overall quality. There was so much excessive vibrato that I was prepared to forgive and forget the BBC Singers for their past transgressions, who had never sounded as bad as this. It was dire.
At the end, awaited the announcer’s revelation of the culprits. It WAS the BBC Singers. I was beginning to believe they had finally begun to improve, based on some recent broadcasts. Alas, no. The sopranos sounded like mermaids being strangled. Horrific!
Comment