Rob Cowan dropped by Classic FM

[AmpH]

The Gramophone these days is, I hope, prospering under the Mark Allen ownership. I now look forward to receiving it each month, which I would not have said five years ago.

Same here HD. I have the Digital Subscription which works very well on the iPad and I love having access to the complete back catalogue of issues as well.

[Barbirollians]

That Peter Quantrill on the Missa is superb in my view, so thorough, perceptive, and thoughtful. But how he got through listening to so many, and stayed sane, I'm not entirely sure!

Don’t agree at all with his views on the Klemperer.

[gradus]

Don’t agree at all with his views on the Klemperer.

Was he anti?

[Cockney Sparrow]

Glad that I'm not alone in being very impressed with PQ's essay - it has made me rethink how I approach the MS and has had me listen afresh to a work which I have always seen as ever so slightly forbidding - mistakenly as I now realise.
The Gramophone these days is, I hope, prospering under the Mark Allen ownership. I now look forward to receiving it each month, which I would not have said five years ago.

I do agree. I took out a subscription in large degree as an act of support when Haymarket relinquished the title. Up to the sale to Mark Allen I progressively bought it less and either had a quick look in railway newsagents or waited until I visited the arts library. I'd been struck by the superficial/trivialised reviews and sales oriented content- unsubtle marketing; it was a sad experience, expecting the publication to spiral down to its end.

I have a few editions of Gramophone to catch up on - allocating time to read them is a problem, and I only occasionally use the reiviews database. Nonetheless its a pleasure to read, have the database available and support the publication. I did notice the Missa Solemnis feature but could only take a quick look but will definitely return to read in detail - having recently bought the 28 Dec 1940 live recording for the contribution of Jussi Bjorling.

Which set me wondering,and listening to Composer of the week in this year, whether I will ever get to sing the Missa Solemnis again. (Although after a return to proper rehearsals, it will take a while for us to get vocally "match fit" for a work of that challenge.......)

[cloughie]

I do agree. I took out a subscription in large degree as an act of support when Haymarket relinquished the title. Up to the sale to Mark Allen I progressively bought it less and either had a quick look in railway newsagents or waited until I visited the arts library. I'd been struck by the superficial/trivialised reviews and sales oriented content- unsubtle marketing; it was a sad experience, expecting the publication to spiral down to its end.

I have a few editions of Gramophone to catch up on - allocating time to read them is a problem, and I only occasionally use the reiviews database. Nonetheless its a pleasure to read, have the database available and support the publication. I did notice the Missa Solemnis feature but could only take a quick look but will definitely return to read in detail - having recently bought the 28 Dec 1940 live recording for the contribution of Jussi Bjorling.

Which set me wondering,and listening to Composer of the week in this year, whether I will ever get to sing the Missa Solemnis again. (Although after a return to proper rehearsals, it will take a while for us to get vocally "match fit" for a work of that challenge.......)

Do you exercise your voice CS at all? regularly?

[Cockney Sparrow]

Had about 5 distanced covid safe (as possible) rehearsals between lockdowns. Its OK.

I have plenty to do, and I've had a long enforced break from singing before. I will work up the voice again when I see a possibility of two and a half hour rehearsals starting again. Our likely first concert will be the Petite Messe Solenelle so not as heavy duty as Missa Solemnis.

[Pulcinella]

Had about 5 distanced covid safe (as possible) rehearsals between lockdowns. Its OK.

I have plenty to do, and I've had a long enforced break from singing before. I will work up the voice again when I see a possibility of two and a half hour rehearsals starting again. Our likely first concert will be the Petite Messe Solenelle so not as heavy duty as Missa Solemnis.

At our last committee meeting, the choir I'm in decided that, if and when we get back together, we will have a 'practice' term, getting our voices back in trim (and probably seeking some new members, as not all will want or be able to return) without the immediate aim of putting a concert on. Fingers crossed that that might be after Easter, with a proper season starting again in September 2021. The venue we had booked for our cancelled March 2020 concert has kindly said that we can use the deposit we paid for a future booking.