Hi everyone
I know we have all been singing along at home or on the tube, but I thought I’d share the links I have found that I really like, to give you a different arrangement to do your last minute brushing up to, if you would like.
Questo (i) Presto: This recording is not as presto as some of them, which are impossible to keep up with, but still has the power and excitement. Perfect for our first item. Although I don’t think we are going to have the thunderclap.
Questo (ii) Larghetto: There are not many recordings of this version (Handel wrote two). This is really sweet and gentle, such a contrast with the presto. The togetherness of the choir, singing as one combined voice, not four parts, is really impressive. Note that they put the second syllable of Questo on a different note to us – don’t accidentally switch to their way.
Voyagers’ Chorus: They are very careful with this – they treat it with delicacy, not an attribute often mentioned in connection with Texas. Even so, it’s possible to criticise the intonation, especially at the entries, which just shows how tricky this simple-looking piece can be. (Jump forward to 1.35 to avoid the preamble.)
Hebrew Slaves: I really like the gentleness of this version (there is a theme here in my choices, I am noticing) – the pace, the style. Then in bar 23 enjoy the staccato, and in 24 that fabulous crescendo, still gentle. The ff/pp contrast 29-36. I think it’s the best one I’ve found. And sung from memory too, although they could look like they’re enjoying it a bit more. But then they are German.
There is no recording of Simon’s arrangement of the Purcell When I am Laid in Earth (maybe we should make one?) but here is proof from Janet Baker that true talent transcends the lack of modern recording techniques and the beauty of the voice shines through regardless.
For the Puccini many of us have used Choraline or our own recordings. But for variety and practice for the unexpected….
Here is a version of the Qui Tollis by an Italian outfit which seems to be a 45 recording played at 33 speed. Try practising to this – if you can get the long phrases in at this speed you can sing anything.
Another American choir, this time taking on the Credo. And making a very nice job of it, I’d say. Their tempo is a notch below ours. Listen to the timpani and brass thundering through this. It’s going to be very different and offputting having this accompaniment in place of Robert.
Definitely not a notch slower than us, or indeed than anybody, is this Sardinian choir’s Cum Sancto Spirito. I’m pretty sure they are breaking various EU regulations by taking it at this speed at the start, knowing that they have a Piu Mosso coming up. That happens officially at about 3 minutes. But they also do an unofficial speed up at 2 minutes, on our page 54, presumably thinking ‘breakneck’ is not a sufficiently crazy speed. Then they do a massive rallentando into the Largo bit. I’d really recommend practising to this recording. If you can keep up to this, you know you’ve got it nailed.
OK, I think that’s enough racial stereotyping for one day. Apologies for any offence caused, all was determinedly tongue in cheek.