classical music.

CFM played the Faure' Requiem a couple of times last week - by the second time, I had remembered most of the words! Last year they never seem to stop playing The Armed Man. They do tend to repeat things so that you can almost predict, when they announce a composer, which piece they are going to play! As has been said, one man's meat, but why do they think we only want to hear two or three of the most popular of, say, Vaughan Williams' works, and never his wonderful Norfolk Rhapsodies or In the Fenland or his choral pieces. There are only so many times you want to listen to Lark Ascending or The English Folk Song Suite. I'd like to hear them play more English light music.

I find youtube better, because you can plan your own classical concert. And sometimes watch it too if there's a video. Can't always hear it though if you're working in the next room.

Sorry, what I meant to say was that they played the Agnus Dei which I almost remembered all the words to! Remember the whole of the Requiem? I wish! Pushed to remember my own name these days!

I was about to say - they rarely play a whole work. So whilst a bit of the Armed man may get played, it really needs to be listened to as a whole.

Dare I admit, I find faure's requiem a bit boring. So many people love it. After a month of rehearsing it I had had enough. DBH doesn't even need the score at all, he has sung it so often.

I have recently discovered a recording by sir Anthony Hopkins (the actor)what I think is a lovely peace of music, which he wrote and composed...all this talent...he has....it is called.. AND THE WALTZ GOES ON,, by the Birmingham city orchestra....if you go on to Amazon music store put in this information and you will be able to listen to a free sample or purchase it.

They're my longtime favourites janerowena, they give me goosebumps
I seem drawn to Requiems, Mozart's playing at the moment.

DD plays cello in several orchestras so I'm really lucky to get to hear new-to-me composers from time to time.

Mozart's is my favourite, I think. A friend said to me last week that she doesn't like it. Isn't it strange when your friends dislike music that you love. And vice versa. After greyduster said she liked the Agnus Dei in the Faure I dreamt about different versions all night long - it was exhausting, I was singing in my dreams for hours! Slipping seamlessly from one version to another, the fact is, I can no longer tell them apart. I need the intro, then I'm off, but I couldn't tell you who the composer is.

For those who love listening to a Requiem Mass, try this lovely movement from Eleanor Daley's Requiem.

'In Remembrance' is Mary Elizabeth Elizabeth Frye's uplifting poem. We played this during the committal at Mum's funeral. It still reduces me to tears.

The whole Requiem is beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y74j136ddRQ

Thank you - I will do, once I have managed to get rid of DBH and interminable Time Teams!

I've just noticed two Elizabeths in my post.

I knew what you meant.

That was lovely, Merlotgran.
It has a feeling of Irish folk music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mketFlspmzc

Here's the whole Requiem. It's not too long and breathtakingly beautiful I think.

I've only just listened to the short bit! It was lovely, more informal than most.

I thought it was American, being slightly folksy, but she's Canadian.

Listening to it now, I love the soprano part. It is beautiful.

If you get a chance to listen to all of it, the last two movements are sublime.

Yes, I think one of my choirs would love it.

It's lovely! I'll suggest it for next year.

It's a beautiful poem for a funeral and so comforting.

I those of you who can sing in choirs. My singing has never been great, but acid reflux has made my vocal chords unpredictable and I seem to have a few gaps in my range! And there's nothing I'd like more than to join in the Hallelujah Chorus or the finale of Belshazzar's Feast. Or any of the great oratorios - a musical form which I love.

My voice went towards the end of Libera Me and I really panicked. Not a note could I squeak out until almost the end of In Paradisum, so I do feel for you. I was thinking, this is it, I shall never be able to sing again. If I tried to sing it really hurt, and nothing came out at all. Heaven only knows what it was. All I know is, I would be devastated if it ever became permanent.

Keep singing along to the radio, annodomini. Or this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmrt7sjNGPs&list=PL9A3852017B3C857F&index=1

Singing makes you happy, even if it isn't perfect.

I agree with janer. Keep singing. I download music from Amazon then burn compilation CDs to play in the kitchen so I can sing along while I'm cooking. You can have a selection of whatever takes your fancy.

JaneRowena My choir did Faure Requiem last night with a couple of Vaughan Williams numbers.

The Faure is just wonderful but he is not very kind to Altos. We have about 3 notes, all the same, at the end of the Sanctus and similarly in the "In Paradisium." We Altos only get star rating in the "offertorium" when we start without the sopranos.
II. OFFERTORIUM
O Domine, Jesu Christe, Rex Gloriae
libera animas defunctorumetc

However the music all through is just beautiful You can't hear it without being moved.
Faure and "The Armed Man" seem to me an odd combination for one concert but I really like both of them.

I got talked into a come and sing day of The Armed man for a "Voices for hospices" day many years ago now, before I joined a choral society. I would love to do that one again. More lovely melodies in that.

I do have a "come and sing" day booked for the Mozart Requiem in early May that will be something to look forward to.
My last such day was the Haydn Nelson Mass with the Salford CS.
All good fun.

For any more singers out there this site lists some of the come and sing days around the country.

https://twitter.com/singingworkshop