Lockdown links
This page is for sharing links to interesting music for us to listen to – or to participate in – while we are unable to rehearse.
If you have something you think would be interesting, send the link – with a few words of explanation – to Richard at webmaster@whitehallchoir.org, and he will upload it.
Virtual choirs
Performances
- Sonoro, featuring Jo T, have recorded a few pieces despite the lockdown. These are on their YouTube channel, and include this Ubi Caritas by Duruflé.
- Wimbledon Choral Society, featuring some familiar faces, have recorded Bògòroditse Devo from the Vespers.
Sing along
- I Fagiolini have a project on Youtube called Sing the Score. Sing along to a Fagiolini track with the score provided on screen and some commentary from Robert Hollingworth. Some challenging sightsinging practice!
- Voces8’s #LiveFromHome series has lots of interesting stuff. Includes a very entertaining warm-up routine. And they teach you to sing Song Seven Si Le Le by Bobby McFerrin in 7/4 and multiple voices.
Open for participation
- The Stay at Home Choir has already recorded a Vivaldi’s Gloria, with 243 participants, and are going to do MacMillan’s O Radiant Dawn. Looks as though you register here to get involved.
- The Self-Isolation Choir is preparing a performance of Messiah at Home. 3,000 singers have already signed up and more are welcome. Rehearsals are recorded so it is possible to catch up. The performance is to be on 31 May.
- Massive Singlet gives you a chance to connect and sing along with others in NZ and Australia led by Stephen Taberner spookmeister of the Spooky Men’s Chorale. Sessions on Tuesday at 11am BST. (And a kid’s singlet on Thurs am UK time.) Book ahead.
Learning
- coursera.org are offering The Fundamentals of Music Theory from Edinburgh University. It begins at a very basic level and builds up.
- edX are also offering Introduction to Music Theory which seems to cover similar ground.
- musictheory.net has free theory lessons, and a paid for app (Apple devices only)
Other stuff
Musical
- Glyndebourne is streaming operas, beginning with:
- The Marriage of Figaro – May 24 (and remaining available for the following week)
- Don Giovanni – May 31 (ditto)
- Cosi fan Tutte – June 7 (ditto)
- Various other institutions are making pre-lockdown content freely available on-line, including the Royal Opera House and the Met.
- From Martin: Here’s a link to a really interesting black and white film ‘Battle for music’ made in 1943 about the London Philharmonic Orchestra and how they managed to stay together operating as a co-operative unit, with no government support, during WW II. About to disband for lack of financial support the musicians decide to remain together as a self-governing unit in order to bring good music to the provinces. Most of the actors are the actual members of the orchestra and it is interesting to see Sir Adrian Boult, Constant Lambert, Warwick Braithwaite and Dr. Malcolm Sargent as relatively young men. Some interesting performances from Eileen Joyce & Benno Moseiwitsch with Grieg & Rach 2. People may want to skip the first 9 minutes which is a long introduction…
Not even music
- Theatres, galleries and museums are also streaming more (eg National Theatre, Guggenheim, Rijksmuseum)