Things are hotting up with the BBC/Radio3/English National Opera Sing Hallelujah project. We now have 350 choral events across the UK on our online map, so audiences can find their local performance of the Hallelujah Chorus - we are checking another 80+ registrations, so we should soon have well over 400 events logged.
Many of these local choirs are raising money for Children in Need, in tribute to Handel who used performances of Messiah to raise money for the Foundling Hospital, Britain's first home for abandoned children.
Once registered, choirs can download resources to help them perform the piece, including sound files and hints and tips from BBC Singers' chief conductor David Hill. Choirs can record their performances and then upload them to their event page. Some of the recordings will also make it on to Radio 3.
Next on the schedule are two large learning events on 5th December in Glasgow City Halls, and 6th December at ENO London Coliseum, and the there will be a special edition of The Choir devoted to Sing Hallelujah on Sunday 6th December at 6.30pm.
Meanwhile, on English National Opera's side, there are new films, photos and text entries on the Messiah Community Ensemble blog, which I can recommend as a fascinating read!
Lovers of Haydn's music will be much saddened to hear of the death of H.C. 'Robbie' Landon on November 20th 2009 at his home in France, at the age of 83. Until very recently, his tireless enthusiasm for Haydn was only matched by his generosity towards everyone who showed a similar love for the composer and his works.
Among many other gifts, he was a comsummate broadcaster. I hope that over the next few weeks, we shall have the chance to recall through radio and television, his many talents as a scholar, critic and musical advocate.
As one of many who knew him and enjoyed his generous hospitality I shall miss him greatly. Perhaps it is a neat coincidence that he died so close to St Cecilia's Day and in Haydn's bicentennial year ...
All through the London Jazz Festival, there's been a course for aspiring jazz journalists called the Write Stuff. With help from Jazzwise Magazine, Serious (the Festival Producers) and Radio 3, eight young journalists have been reviewing concerts, learning interview techniques and meeting experts to help them hone their writing and reporting skills. Everything came to a conclusion on Sunday, with drummer and pianist Gary Husband being interviewed by the entire group. Some insights into his playing and writing came out of the session, but everyone learned from one another about how to draw out an interview subject and probe behind CDs and concerts to find out more about the jazz life. I joined the course for the final day and was very impressed by the skill and application that this group of writers brought to the task. In the photograph you can see Gary (far right) in the group interview, and you can also hear from all the students on the course.
Photo by Emile Holba. See more photos on flickr.
Listen to our conversation.
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