The Sixteen - Live in Concert

[ardcarp]

it sounded as though a top voice from the dreaded BBC Singers had infiltrated...Perhaps the groups have some personnel in common?

Not to my knowledge (though Exaudi and the Beebs do share one). The Sixteen are able to produce different sounds for different pieces, e.g. Romantic warmth where appropriate (yes there was some vibrato, but not to my ears on a seismic scale) and cooler and straighter for early music. This is surely a great strength of the group. I heard nothing unpleasant at all from my speakers.

[jean]

the applause did give the radio announcer time to tell us what was coming up next...

He didn't need it though, because in accordance with instructions, he announced all the three pieces in the first group together at he beginning of the programme.

I don't think just your ears, Jean.

I'm Listening Again, and I'm not getting that sound I described. Oddly, I'm getting more vibrato than I noticed in the hall.

I don't know if any of the Sixteen's regular personnel ever sing with the BBC Singers. I do think, though, that someone who's been singing with the Sixteen for years won't be making the same sound as they did when they started.

...The Sixteen are able to produce different sounds for different pieces...

As are the BBC Singers!

Not long ago I expressed surprise that the Singers had given a rather convincing performance of some early music - I think it may have been the Tallis Puer Natus, which you lot won't have heard because you all refused to tune in at all - and I was firmly told by someone who knows about these things that it was a completely different lineup from what they use for later music.

.

[teamsaint]

I don't think just your ears, Jean.
I'm afraid I switched off during the third item, though I was particularly interested in hearing the Rubbra pieces, as I found the general sound over the radio harsh in the way you describe; also, to my ears, it sounded as though a top voice from the dreaded BBC Singers had infiltrated, and was producing a very dominating unbalanced effect. Perhaps the groups have some personnel in common?

My loss, though, to judge from some of the other comments, and the Howells is indeed a gem that can occasionally reduce me to tears.

I'm listening on iplayer, and had exactly your reaction, Pulcers, I'm sorry to say.

[ardcarp]

The Sixteen has a good range of ages, always good to see in a choir. Harry Christophers is a nice man to work for and loyal to members of his group, unlike certain other choral directors who shall be nameless. Stick with the i-player. Pulcinella. Your opinion might have been formed from Faire is the Heaven...but treasures are yet to come.

[rauschwerk]

Just in the process of recording to Minidisc from the iPlayer (my new tablet coming in useful here) and the sound seems to me pretty well exemplary. I think one has to be careful not to turn up the wick too far. I abandoned my usual 'performer's perspective' and tried to imagine what a choir of that size might sound like in a big hall - the closed lips bars at the end of the MacMillan sounding very quiet indeed. In the car last night I had to listen at high volume and it didn't sound good at all.

[antongould]

Do: balm to the hurt mind, mate!

I did and loved it - all sounded more than fine to me. Impressed by the Rubbra(s) and the Gurney.

[Gabriel Jackson]

Not long ago I expressed surprise that the Singers had given a rather convincing performance of some early music - I think it may have been the Tallis Puer Natus, which you lot won't have heard because you all refused to tune in at all - and I was firmly told by someone who knows about these things that it was a completely different lineup from what they use for later music.

.

I wasn't present at either the Tallis concert or Messiah, Jean, so don't know exactly who was singing but it's very unlikely that the two concerts had completely different personnel, as that person suggested. Exactly which singers are performing in any BBC Singers programme has nothing to with the repertoire, and the "suitability" of individual voices, but other factors (illness, holiday etc.)

[Caussade]

I wasn't present at either the Tallis concert or Messiah, Jean, so don't know exactly who was singing but it's very unlikely that the two concerts had completely different personnel, as that person suggested. Exactly which singers are performing in any BBC Singers programme has nothing to with the repertoire, and the "suitability" of individual voices, but other factors (illness, holiday etc.)

It was I who made the point, Gabriel. As you say, you weren't there, but the personnel was indeed different enough (although not of course 'completely different') for each of the two concerts for it to have had a noticeable impact on the overall sound of the Singers. I didn't suggest that the group was differently constituted because the repertoire demanded it; I simply said that the two groups were different in composition for each occasion, without speculating about why that might have been. None of which negates your point about illness and holidays, of course.

[jean]

...I didn't suggest that the group was differently constituted because the repertoire demanded it; I simply said that the two groups were different in composition for each occasion, without speculating about why that might have been.

Sorry, I misunderstood.

[BBMmk2]

The Director of Music at the school, where I work, is planning a return visit from this marvellous choir.

Which one BBM?

[ardcarp]

Oops, sorry BBM, I appear inadvertently to have edited your post rather than replying to it. So sorry...I'm a liability with technical stuff.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Oops, sorry BBM, I appear inadvertently to have edited your post rather than replying to it. So sorry...I'm a liability with technical stuff.

I'm so glad you posted this, ardy - I couldn't work out if Bbm was talking to himself or if I was so far round the bend I could see myself coming back!

[BBMmk2]

I'm so glad you posted this, ardy - I couldn't work out if Bbm was talking to himself or if I was so far round the bend I could see myself coming back!

Well, I could be talking to myself on here haha!!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Well, I could be talking to myself on here haha!!

Sometimes, it's the only decent conversation on offer!