Bella Voce Spring Concert 2013

The last two weeks have been rather busy, but it has been fun too. With just two weeks to go to the Spring Concert, we were still struggling to pull some of the songs together, so we had practice on both Monday and Tuesday nights for the last two weeks, as well as one last Saturday afternoon. By Tuesday night this week, we were beginning to feel like it might all come together. We had one final rehearsal on Saturday afternoon at the concert venue before our performance that evening. The rehearsal went OK, but I knew there were bits I still wasn't confident of. I snuck a couple of minutes at the piano before the doors opened, and hoped for the best. Here are a couple of shots taken during that final rehearsal.

While the hall wasn't as full as it had been for the Christmas concert there was still a good crowd, and our program was well received. And as for those bits I wasn't sure of, well I nailed them during the performance. Musically we were challenged by several of the pieces this season, especially with the harmonies, but they were fun and I will miss choir practice during the coming weeks until we reconvene for our next season. Instead I will turn my attention back to my piano playing, and have some lessons and get practising again. We will also be starting to work on our class performance for the EWIS end of year concert, so I won't have time to be bored.

And to finish off, here are a couple of shots taken during the actual performance, thanks to a friend of mine.

 

PostScript: Here's a link to a video of the first half of the concert,
thanks to the folk at the InterContinental Hotel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as5z8nk1Gks&feature=youtu.be

Getting a little culture

This evening I was privileged to attend a delightful concert in the Grand Ballroom of the Phnom Penh Hotel InterContinental. It was part of the 9th International Music Festival which runs for 5 days, with a 5 free concerts. I missed the first two, both being held in an auditorium on the other side of town in the evening, as will be the final concert, but the two over the weekend I am able to attend.

This evening I was treated to a selection of three compositions by the late King Norodom Sihanouk, followed by a trio from Georg Philipp Telemann, a voilin sonato by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and finally another trio by Johann Joachim Quantz. Here's a glimpse of the musicians.

Notice the instrument on the left - a contralto recorder! Beautiful.

While this was a violin sonato, I did not envy the pianist at all. She did a brilliant job, and I'm sure the accompaniment was almost as challenging (or maybe more so) than the violin solo. Yes, I had a front row seat with a perfect view of the pianist's hands.

I loved this combination of instruments. Contralto recorder, flute, and cello, with very subtle piano accompaniament.

Alas, due to the fact that I didn't want to head for home much after 8.30pm (I was out alone and that's about my limit time wise), I didn't get to enjoy the second half of the concert, but I am looking forward to tomorrow's matinee Piano Recital. I wonder if I'll be able to get quite such a good seat. Even if I don't I'm sure I'll enjoy listening!

Belle Voce Choir Spring Concert

Anyone who really knows me will know that music is important to me. I love to sing and I enjoying playing instruments, both for my own pleasure and for worship. This year I made a choice to dedicate Tuesday evenings to music, when I joined the Bella Voce Community Choir here in Phnom Penh. The choir is conducted by a talented Japanese lady, and for this concert there were 44 members from 17 different nationalities. We practised every Tuesday evening for an hour and a half (or so), plus a few extra Thursday evening practices in the weeks before the concert. Singing alto was hard work, but I loved it. It was great to be part of a group, and to not be responsible for anything except my own singing. We learned a variety of songs including some madrigals, several African songs, and a range of songs from Broadway musicals. There were times when we struggled to get our parts right, but we kept going and the reports I have received were that all our struggles were worth it. The concert venue was full, and there was plenty of applause.

A big thank you to our wonderful director and conductor, and another big thank you to our amazing accompanist. Without their hard work the concert wouldn't happen. Proceeds from the concert go to charity, this year to support a school working with disadvantaged children in the Toul Tom Pong area of Phnom Penh.

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to the next session starting again, as we prepare for the Christmas concert. I have no doubt Mari will have some great music for us to learn, and equally no doubt there will be some challenges in it. It will be fun!