Justin recommends . . . .

Justin has some thoughts on recordings for the Bach B Minor -

Hi Philip,

Sorry for the delay – been travelling a bit, and no internet connection.

As usual, I don’t have one favourite recording, but this one comes pretty close:

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Dietrich-Henschel-Christoph-Blomstedt/dp/B000B6N5YG/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1312878170&sr=1-1

It’s a DVD recorded live in the St. Thomaskirche.  Very sensitive, unfussy, unexaggerated.  (Unlike Gardiner – again as usual, he doesn’t work for me.)  The tempos of the virtuoso fast choruses are maybe a bit ambitious for us, though… in which case this 1959 recording is worth a listen – for the choruses only though!

http://www.classicalmusicmobile.com/bach-j-s/1077-bach-mass-in-b-minor-by-scherchen.html

Choir and orchestra both too big, but very devotional, grandiose.  The Et expecto is actually faster than Gardiner… the Patrem omnipotentem is too slow, but the other “fast” choruses ok for tempo.  Don’t listen to the solo numbers!  or do, but only if you enjoy schmaltz in Bach.

But that Blomstedt DVD is really a must – one of the most beautiful performances of Bach I’ve ever heard.

Happy to correspond with you about specific details whenever you want.

All the best,

Justin

Tonight's auditions

Audition sign-up for membership in  the 2011-2012 Alabama Symphony Chorus are TONIGHT:

Where:  Auditions will be held at South Highland Presbyterian Church in the choir room!  Directions to the church are here.

South Highland Presbyterian Church
2035 Highland Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205-3897"

http://www.southhighland.org/contact

Click here, or copy/paste the long URL into your browser:
Long URL:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhavEaU0HOJZdFlUYXA0bUlBRnF5TmE4TjFLdzdvRWc&hl=en_US&authkey=CNvkkLwL

(for some reason there is a slight issue with this link - it works, just roll mouse around and wait a bit or copy the long URL into your browser)

Only prospective new members will audition.

At the current time, no prepared piece is required.

Contact me if you have a problem signing up.