Last classical concert you went to

[julesd68]

I went to see the Purcell Singers perform at St Martin in the Fields last night. Main reason I went was to hear Allegri's "Miserere" which was given a somewhat less than perfect performance sadly - I got the impression that the choir was slightly intimidated by the stature of the work. Anyway, the rest of the concert was much more confidently performed thankfully ...

[MartinT]

That's a shame. I have yet to hear the Miserere live, but I do keep a lookout for it.

[julesd68]

For me it's the greatest piece of choral music ever written - I was lucky enough to sing it as a chorister 35 years ago!

I'm going to look out for a performance by the Tallis Scholars or the Sixteen and hopefully hear it close to the perfection it requires ...

[MartinT]

For me it's the greatest piece of choral music ever written

Can't argue with you there, although I would tentatively offer Vivaldi's Gloria, Mozart's Requiem, Mahler's 8th, Beethoven's 9th and Ligeti's Requiem for consideration.

[julesd68]

Can't argue with you there, although I would tentatively offer Vivaldi's Gloria, Mozart's Requiem, Mahler's 8th, Beethoven's 9th and Ligeti's Requiem for consideration.

Never heard the Vivaldi or the Ligeti so will check them out - my favourite requiem must be the Faure - another that I have very happy memories of singing in the distant past ...

[MartinT]

If you like the Faure, do listen to the Durufle. Heart-stoppingly beautiful (he was Faure's pupil).

[julesd68]

That is one of the best recommendations I have had in a long time - checked out the Kyrie on YouTube and absolutely love it!

Will be buying the Argo / St John's Cambridge version; it's old-school, just the way I like it - organ only, no orchestra and boy's voices ...

cheers.

[MartinT]

Will be buying the Argo / St John's Cambridge version; it's old-school, just the way I like it - organ only, no orchestra and boy's voices

That's the one to have, Julian. Stunning performance and sound
Watch out for the heavy traffic rumble in some quiet passages, though.

[morris_minor]

Watch out for the heavy traffic rumble in some quiet passages, though.

Traffic noise afflicted quite a few Cambridge choral recordings. Kings' RVW Mass in g Minor/EMI has quite prominent noise evident in some sections. Just adds to the atmosphere . . .

[royzak]

Enjoyable and varied concert at the Wigmore last week.The London Conchord Ensemble playing works by Poulenc,Mozart and Beethoven.
The Mozart a beautiful piece I did not know,his last chamber work,the Adagio and Rondo K617 originally scored for wind,strings and glass harmonica a short lived instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin now as here replaced by piano.