Listening to: Some dull documentary on surgical instruments
Cups of coffee achieved: 1, and no less than nine glasses of water, yes, nine.
The weekend has been baking hot. I'm currently waiting for this so called 'storm' that is supposed to be cooling us all down. Looking out of my window, it certainly isn't heading SW7 way in the near future. Yesterday I was so pleased to head into the fabulous St Alfege's church in Greenwich to sing various pieces by our wonderful home-grown Tallis including his mass-ive (heh) 'Spem in Alium' for 40 voices.
Post concert we braved the heat of the tube and headed to the British Museum where we did this:
The sound quality doesn't do it justice at all. The Englightenment Gallery really was a beautiful place to do it, and as the conductor Katie Hawks said:
"It was amazing singing such an incredible piece in such a special place. Perhaps it might remind our silent museums that music is very much part of enlightenment... Lots of people were bowled over by the experience."
I have to admit - generally I hate flashmobs. There is nothing worse than a glee-esque choir popping up singing Michael Jackson in your face. The Swingles' tube 'Soul Bossa Nova' flashmob still remains one of my favorites however, and their acting is nothing short of bafta worthy. They prove flashmobs, when done well, are a good laugh. Recently I saw a mob (hardly any 'flash' involved) of University a cappella students doing a cringe-worthy (anyone who hates a cappella terms turn away now) 'mash up' (apologies) of various songs on the Southbank. Not only was it sung badly; they ended up singing in a circle. Dull. I've got plans for a Meredith Monk, Berio and Ligeti to be introduced to the ever-growing canon. May this be the start of the flashmob revolution to bring some decent, well sung music to the public...
