David informed me today that Poland was the first country to institute nationwide free education for children, at some point in the 19th Century. On today's evidence (and that of past visits, without exception) music appreciation must have been part of that syllabus - and must remain today, as our audiences here in Poland are always very appreciative, knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way they receive live music.This evening we performed in the Philharmonia here in Krakow, a wonderful old building that many were concerned about with the advent of the brand new Congress Centre and it's 2,000-seat hall, which opened last year. Thankfully these fears have not been realised, as so many artists love to perform in the historic Philharmonia hall, with its sympathetic acoustics and the heavy scent of history that no modern hall can imitate.Tonight's programme was the last acappella Christmas programme of 2015 - we have one more concert, but it's in Bern with the wonderful oboist Albrecht Mayer, on Sunday afternoon. Christmas programmes are very special to all of us; in my case, it's comforting to know that there is certain repertoire that we approach only at this time of year, and then once we've sung it for three weeks it's carefully put away again for the next 11 months. Music is very much like wine in that if you leave it to lie fallow for a period of time, it often repays you with greater complexity and maturity of performance. My first Christmas with the KS was one of frantic learning and attempting to keep up - but now (this was my 12th Christmas) I approach each piece as an old friend. There is more to learn, more layers to unpeel, and the perspective that younger members bring to our interpretation means that fresh enjoyment can be found each year.We've been introducing audiences to our brand new Christmas repertoire, in preparation for our recording next month. Because of that, we're not going to get a full 11 month break from carols this year. However, the experience of learning the new repertoire, and planning how to programme next year's tour, is exciting in itself. So far, the carols have been well-received, whether the simple beauty of "In the bleak mid-winter" or the vim and vigour of "Sleigh Ride." There will be 16 tracks in all, from three different arrangers, and covering the spectrum from the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's, all the way to the Rat Pack Christmas and beyond. Look out for it next year!This is my last 'blog of 2015.All that remains is for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and join us for more antics in 2016! Thanks for reading.
David informed me today that Poland was the first country to institute nationwide free education for children, at some point in the 19th Century. On today's evidence (and that of past visits, without exception) music appreciation must have been part of that syllabus - and must remain today, as our audiences here in Poland are always very appreciative, knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way they receive live music.This evening we performed in the Philharmonia here in Krakow, a wonderful old building that many were concerned about with the advent of the brand new Congress Centre and it's 2,000-seat hall, which opened last year. Thankfully these fears have not been realised, as so many artists love to perform in the historic Philharmonia hall, with its sympathetic acoustics and the heavy scent of history that no modern hall can imitate.Tonight's programme was the last acappella Christmas programme of 2015 - we have one more concert, but it's in Bern with the wonderful oboist Albrecht Mayer, on Sunday afternoon. Christmas programmes are very special to all of us; in my case, it's comforting to know that there is certain repertoire that we approach only at this time of year, and then once we've sung it for three weeks it's carefully put away again for the next 11 months. Music is very much like wine in that if you leave it to lie fallow for a period of time, it often repays you with greater complexity and maturity of performance. My first Christmas with the KS was one of frantic learning and attempting to keep up - but now (this was my 12th Christmas) I approach each piece as an old friend. There is more to learn, more layers to unpeel, and the perspective that younger members bring to our interpretation means that fresh enjoyment can be found each year.We've been introducing audiences to our brand new Christmas repertoire, in preparation for our recording next month. Because of that, we're not going to get a full 11 month break from carols this year. However, the experience of learning the new repertoire, and planning how to programme next year's tour, is exciting in itself. So far, the carols have been well-received, whether the simple beauty of "In the bleak mid-winter" or the vim and vigour of "Sleigh Ride." There will be 16 tracks in all, from three different arrangers, and covering the spectrum from the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's, all the way to the Rat Pack Christmas and beyond. Look out for it next year!This is my last 'blog of 2015.All that remains is for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and join us for more antics in 2016! Thanks for reading.
David informed me today that Poland was the first country to institute nationwide free education for children, at some point in the 19th Century. On today's evidence (and that of past visits, without exception) music appreciation must have been part of that syllabus - and must remain today, as our audiences here in Poland are always very appreciative, knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way they receive live music.This evening we performed in the Philharmonia here in Krakow, a wonderful old building that many were concerned about with the advent of the brand new Congress Centre and it's 2,000-seat hall, which opened last year. Thankfully these fears have not been realised, as so many artists love to perform in the historic Philharmonia hall, with its sympathetic acoustics and the heavy scent of history that no modern hall can imitate.Tonight's programme was the last acappella Christmas programme of 2015 - we have one more concert, but it's in Bern with the wonderful oboist Albrecht Mayer, on Sunday afternoon. Christmas programmes are very special to all of us; in my case, it's comforting to know that there is certain repertoire that we approach only at this time of year, and then once we've sung it for three weeks it's carefully put away again for the next 11 months. Music is very much like wine in that if you leave it to lie fallow for a period of time, it often repays you with greater complexity and maturity of performance. My first Christmas with the KS was one of frantic learning and attempting to keep up - but now (this was my 12th Christmas) I approach each piece as an old friend. There is more to learn, more layers to unpeel, and the perspective that younger members bring to our interpretation means that fresh enjoyment can be found each year.We've been introducing audiences to our brand new Christmas repertoire, in preparation for our recording next month. Because of that, we're not going to get a full 11 month break from carols this year. However, the experience of learning the new repertoire, and planning how to programme next year's tour, is exciting in itself. So far, the carols have been well-received, whether the simple beauty of "In the bleak mid-winter" or the vim and vigour of "Sleigh Ride." There will be 16 tracks in all, from three different arrangers, and covering the spectrum from the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's, all the way to the Rat Pack Christmas and beyond. Look out for it next year!This is my last 'blog of 2015.All that remains is for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and join us for more antics in 2016! Thanks for reading.
David informed me today that Poland was the first country to institute nationwide free education for children, at some point in the 19th Century. On today's evidence (and that of past visits, without exception) music appreciation must have been part of that syllabus - and must remain today, as our audiences here in Poland are always very appreciative, knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way they receive live music.This evening we performed in the Philharmonia here in Krakow, a wonderful old building that many were concerned about with the advent of the brand new Congress Centre and it's 2,000-seat hall, which opened last year. Thankfully these fears have not been realised, as so many artists love to perform in the historic Philharmonia hall, with its sympathetic acoustics and the heavy scent of history that no modern hall can imitate.Tonight's programme was the last acappella Christmas programme of 2015 - we have one more concert, but it's in Bern with the wonderful oboist Albrecht Mayer, on Sunday afternoon. Christmas programmes are very special to all of us; in my case, it's comforting to know that there is certain repertoire that we approach only at this time of year, and then once we've sung it for three weeks it's carefully put away again for the next 11 months. Music is very much like wine in that if you leave it to lie fallow for a period of time, it often repays you with greater complexity and maturity of performance. My first Christmas with the KS was one of frantic learning and attempting to keep up - but now (this was my 12th Christmas) I approach each piece as an old friend. There is more to learn, more layers to unpeel, and the perspective that younger members bring to our interpretation means that fresh enjoyment can be found each year.We've been introducing audiences to our brand new Christmas repertoire, in preparation for our recording next month. Because of that, we're not going to get a full 11 month break from carols this year. However, the experience of learning the new repertoire, and planning how to programme next year's tour, is exciting in itself. So far, the carols have been well-received, whether the simple beauty of "In the bleak mid-winter" or the vim and vigour of "Sleigh Ride." There will be 16 tracks in all, from three different arrangers, and covering the spectrum from the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's, all the way to the Rat Pack Christmas and beyond. Look out for it next year!This is my last 'blog of 2015.All that remains is for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and join us for more antics in 2016! Thanks for reading.
David informed me today that Poland was the first country to institute nationwide free education for children, at some point in the 19th Century. On today's evidence (and that of past visits, without exception) music appreciation must have been part of that syllabus - and must remain today, as our audiences here in Poland are always very appreciative, knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way they receive live music.This evening we performed in the Philharmonia here in Krakow, a wonderful old building that many were concerned about with the advent of the brand new Congress Centre and it's 2,000-seat hall, which opened last year. Thankfully these fears have not been realised, as so many artists love to perform in the historic Philharmonia hall, with its sympathetic acoustics and the heavy scent of history that no modern hall can imitate.Tonight's programme was the last acappella Christmas programme of 2015 - we have one more concert, but it's in Bern with the wonderful oboist Albrecht Mayer, on Sunday afternoon. Christmas programmes are very special to all of us; in my case, it's comforting to know that there is certain repertoire that we approach only at this time of year, and then once we've sung it for three weeks it's carefully put away again for the next 11 months. Music is very much like wine in that if you leave it to lie fallow for a period of time, it often repays you with greater complexity and maturity of performance. My first Christmas with the KS was one of frantic learning and attempting to keep up - but now (this was my 12th Christmas) I approach each piece as an old friend. There is more to learn, more layers to unpeel, and the perspective that younger members bring to our interpretation means that fresh enjoyment can be found each year.We've been introducing audiences to our brand new Christmas repertoire, in preparation for our recording next month. Because of that, we're not going to get a full 11 month break from carols this year. However, the experience of learning the new repertoire, and planning how to programme next year's tour, is exciting in itself. So far, the carols have been well-received, whether the simple beauty of "In the bleak mid-winter" or the vim and vigour of "Sleigh Ride." There will be 16 tracks in all, from three different arrangers, and covering the spectrum from the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's, all the way to the Rat Pack Christmas and beyond. Look out for it next year!This is my last 'blog of 2015.All that remains is for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and join us for more antics in 2016! Thanks for reading.
David informed me today that Poland was the first country to institute nationwide free education for children, at some point in the 19th Century. On today's evidence (and that of past visits, without exception) music appreciation must have been part of that syllabus - and must remain today, as our audiences here in Poland are always very appreciative, knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way they receive live music.This evening we performed in the Philharmonia here in Krakow, a wonderful old building that many were concerned about with the advent of the brand new Congress Centre and it's 2,000-seat hall, which opened last year. Thankfully these fears have not been realised, as so many artists love to perform in the historic Philharmonia hall, with its sympathetic acoustics and the heavy scent of history that no modern hall can imitate.Tonight's programme was the last acappella Christmas programme of 2015 - we have one more concert, but it's in Bern with the wonderful oboist Albrecht Mayer, on Sunday afternoon. Christmas programmes are very special to all of us; in my case, it's comforting to know that there is certain repertoire that we approach only at this time of year, and then once we've sung it for three weeks it's carefully put away again for the next 11 months. Music is very much like wine in that if you leave it to lie fallow for a period of time, it often repays you with greater complexity and maturity of performance. My first Christmas with the KS was one of frantic learning and attempting to keep up - but now (this was my 12th Christmas) I approach each piece as an old friend. There is more to learn, more layers to unpeel, and the perspective that younger members bring to our interpretation means that fresh enjoyment can be found each year.We've been introducing audiences to our brand new Christmas repertoire, in preparation for our recording next month. Because of that, we're not going to get a full 11 month break from carols this year. However, the experience of learning the new repertoire, and planning how to programme next year's tour, is exciting in itself. So far, the carols have been well-received, whether the simple beauty of "In the bleak mid-winter" or the vim and vigour of "Sleigh Ride." There will be 16 tracks in all, from three different arrangers, and covering the spectrum from the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's, all the way to the Rat Pack Christmas and beyond. Look out for it next year!This is my last 'blog of 2015.All that remains is for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and join us for more antics in 2016! Thanks for reading.
David informed me today that Poland was the first country to institute nationwide free education for children, at some point in the 19th Century. On today's evidence (and that of past visits, without exception) music appreciation must have been part of that syllabus - and must remain today, as our audiences here in Poland are always very appreciative, knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way they receive live music.This evening we performed in the Philharmonia here in Krakow, a wonderful old building that many were concerned about with the advent of the brand new Congress Centre and it's 2,000-seat hall, which opened last year. Thankfully these fears have not been realised, as so many artists love to perform in the historic Philharmonia hall, with its sympathetic acoustics and the heavy scent of history that no modern hall can imitate.Tonight's programme was the last acappella Christmas programme of 2015 - we have one more concert, but it's in Bern with the wonderful oboist Albrecht Mayer, on Sunday afternoon. Christmas programmes are very special to all of us; in my case, it's comforting to know that there is certain repertoire that we approach only at this time of year, and then once we've sung it for three weeks it's carefully put away again for the next 11 months. Music is very much like wine in that if you leave it to lie fallow for a period of time, it often repays you with greater complexity and maturity of performance. My first Christmas with the KS was one of frantic learning and attempting to keep up - but now (this was my 12th Christmas) I approach each piece as an old friend. There is more to learn, more layers to unpeel, and the perspective that younger members bring to our interpretation means that fresh enjoyment can be found each year.We've been introducing audiences to our brand new Christmas repertoire, in preparation for our recording next month. Because of that, we're not going to get a full 11 month break from carols this year. However, the experience of learning the new repertoire, and planning how to programme next year's tour, is exciting in itself. So far, the carols have been well-received, whether the simple beauty of "In the bleak mid-winter" or the vim and vigour of "Sleigh Ride." There will be 16 tracks in all, from three different arrangers, and covering the spectrum from the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's, all the way to the Rat Pack Christmas and beyond. Look out for it next year!This is my last 'blog of 2015.All that remains is for me to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year, and join us for more antics in 2016! Thanks for reading.
