2006-2007

THIS SEASON: THE COLOUR OF ROSES -
A NEW COLLABORATION with BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN

Season Highlights:

  • PROKOFIEV’S ALEXANDER NEVSKY with the Kensington Symphony Orchestra

  • Concert in ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL with
    BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN

  • OUR DIRECTORS SHINE AT CHRISTMAS TIME!
    “I’M A LITTLE XMAS CRACKER” gets Christmas off to a Popping start (in most cases!) & so does MRS. BEETON.

  • Ten Years On - 90th BIRTHDAY CONCERT for JOHN GARDNER

  • BACH ST. JOHN PASSION at SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL

  • Tour to BERGAMO & MILAN - IBBLE-DIBBLE IN ITALY

  • CHOIR & BRASS SPECTACULAR

Choir Membership 2002-2003

CONCERTS

Wednesday OCTOBER 18th 2006

ALEXANDER NEVSKY
with the KSO

BARBICAN CENTRE

Sunday NOVEMBER 19th 2006

IF LOVE COULD SAY GOD’S NAME

ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

PERFORMANCE

In Remembrance - Daley

REHEARSALS - Greycoats & St. Stephens

POST PERFORMANCE

FAMILY CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Thursday DECEMBER 14th 2006

ST. JAMES’S, PICCADILLY

DD Anecdote:Every concert has its own tale of something memorable in some funny or unexpected way! The children’s concert that we all looked forward to never failed to deliver. In this case it was one of Santa’s little helpers from the choir, who was supposed to pull a party popper chord in time to the music at the end of “I’m a little Christmas Cracker”. Normally a paragon of rhythmic security, in his excitement he managed to let it off just a little too early, to much merriment and enjoyable ridicule. This was to become something of a theme for this particular little helper.

ORIANA CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Thursday DECEMBER 14th 2006

ST. JAMES’S, PICCADILLY

DD Note:I just want to insert a small mention of my admiration for this choir for its resilience and patience. I always had a tendency towards over-generosity in giving the audience their money’s worth, partly because when it comes to music I am like a child in a sweet shop. I want to experience everything and share it. I appreciated that the committee were so supportive of my musical enthusiasm and though occasionally dismayed never slapped my hand too hard! But as I worked through my documentation of this day of xmas concerts I realized that I had asked the choir to learn 28 different carols! Outrageous. This is both a retrospective apology and a thank you.

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN

Saturday JANUARY 21st 2007

GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Concert Reviews

Post Concert Reviews at the Festival Club House of Song

Celtic Connections Review

World Music Central Review

Thursday 15th FEBRUARY 2007

CROSSING THE WATER

ST. PETER’S, EATON SQUARE

John Gardner 90th Birthday:This concert was also a Celebration of John Gardner's forthcoming 90th Birthday (2nd March 1917), and we were delighted he and his family honoured us by attending this concert.

Songs of Farewell - A CHORAL SYMPHONY

DD Note:I think this was possibly the pinnacle of musical achievement with this choir. The scale of sustained difficulty of this programme was huge, and yet the sound and the expression they manage to consistently produce, in what was essentially a choral symphony, still impresses me. I am glad we were able to capture this and let it be heard still. Although I recorded it on a device situated in the audience I think the sound is particularly fortuitous and pleasing.

Friday MARCH 30th 2007

BACH - ST. JOHN PASSION

SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL

DD Performance Anecdote:This concert was particularly memorable not only for the excellence of Jesus, our soloist, but also of his little helper! We had semi-staged the performance in terms of visually representing the action with strategic stands and sits and a smock for Jesus, rather than a tuxedo. All went well except for one moment when a prominent member of the choir who had an upcoming solo, stood up too soon – and being too embarrassed to sit down again, remained standing on his own for an inordinately long time – a questionable decision but one which provided much pleasure for everyone else!

MAY 25th - 28th 2007

ITALIAN TOUR

BERGAMO & MILAN

SATURDAY

DD Tuning Fork Miracle:As can be seen from the photo above, the Basilica was situated on the top of a hill, which was commonly accessed by cable car. As our cable car rose in the air I realised that I had forgotten my tuning fork, essential for the concert as so much was a cappella. In jest I asked other occupants of the small car if anyone happened to have a tuning fork? - Someone did!!

SUNDAY

Choir Meal

Forfeits

Ibble - Dibble

Friday JUNE 29th 2007

CHOIR & BRASS SPECTACULAR

ST. JAMES’S, PICCADILLY

DD Note:When I played back this concert some sixteen years after it was recorded I found myself moved to tears at some of these memories. The power of the Walton took me by surprise and the Wreck of the Hesperus shocked me at the thrill of the story-telling. I think it had proved a popular piece over the years, but you can never tell with choirs. They had never come across a romantic piece like this where “seamen” chained girls to the mast - which certainly spawned its fair share of imitations and laughter, especially in tour situations. I was also pleased to hear the arrangement again, which I had made specially for brass using the full orchestral score for ideas. The transcription is not easy to play and I am still in awe of what British professional musicians can accomplish in a single afternoon rehearsal! Inevitably there are a few slips here and there on the night and in deference to these amazing musicians I have not included sections with any glaring ones.

SEASON REPERTOIRE SPREAD

London Oriana Choir Archive