And so, after 19 Tuesday nights together, plenty of sectionals, and lots of individual work at home, our preparation is done. And it sounds great. Thanks to Bernadette for her help this evening, to Robert for his help every week, and to you all – including those choristers who came and sang and helped even when they knew they could not sing the concert – for your effort and commitment. There have, for sure, been times when it has been a slog, but here we are now with a very special concert in the offing.
But of course it wouldn’t be a rehearsal recap without a list of little things that can still be a tiny bit better!
Brahms – more dynamics. Then a bit more dynamics on top of that, and a bit more after that.
Haydn –
1. Precision, especially the timing of bar 79
2. Super-quiet in the ‘eine neue welt’ parts
4. First entry has to be as strong and convincing as the soloist who precedes it. You always have been, but getting the lead tonight from Bernadette seemed to distract you a little. Maybe practise with a recording?
13. Rhythmic strength – make ‘zeigt’ percussive and in general keep everything with a good strong beat
18. Altos and Tenors – check that bit at the bottom of page 79; everyone, make sure you start those long notes quiet so you have room to get louder
27. Keep the energy up! Sops and Tenors, really emphasise the fz markings on p 112. Dynamics-wise the movement is kind of all loud, but with room to shape individual phrases – make the most of that chance.
29.
Part I – the goal is to sound like one single harmonious voice underpinning the soloists. First entry has to be confident but quiet. Beautiful shape to the phrase ‘erschall in ewigkeit’ bar 34
Part II – entry at D bar 82 – sops, make sure you are ready and hit it with power. Everyone else, follow with the same conviction please.
Part III – respect the rests!
Part V – (M p130) – Dynamics! Quiet entry, then back and forth from loud to soft. MAKE SURE THE QUIET ENTRIES ARE NOT BEHIND THE BEAT! T&B at letter S especially.
33. Make sure you know how long the long penultimate note of p 151 is. Stephen is conducting 8 to a bar, so that note is 10 beats. Keep the energy high throughout the movement – we will all be knackered at this point. Tenors, entry at bottom of p155, please give it a look. Last pages – don’t lose concentration. This not the moment to come in a beat early!
Laudate Dominum – beautifully quiet and controlled. Just watch the ends of phrases – no holding notes longer than written please. Tenors, I’m looking at you!
We didn’t end up singing Habanera or Va Pensiero, but I am confident that they will run beautifully.
When we started out back in January, my hope was that, by this point in our rehearsal schedule, we would be happy that we know the notes and we would be fine-tuning and making the good truly excellent. And that is exactly where we are. These last few rehearsals have been wonderful, the sound you are making is truly lovely. By all means spend a little time this week checking you have all the details right, but now the main thing is to enjoy the fruits of your considerable labours. It’s going to be a great evening, with new friends to make and beautiful music to sing.
See you on Saturday. Bring your friends!
Chris