What are you listening to? - Page 41

JeremyNicoll · Today, 04:47 AM

A BBC transmission of a concert recorded on 01 March 2026 in the local concert hall. It's Mahler's Symphony no 2 - the "Resurrection". -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._2_(Mahler)

In this concert the orchestra is a BBC one & the chorus (who only sing in the last 15 minutes or so) is one I used to sing in; I've sung in performances of this work several times - so it's a nostalgic listen.

Just before the chorus start to sing the (huge) orchestra gets quieter & quieter. The chorus who've been sitting down for more than hour by then start to sing very quietly & slowly grow in volume ... before the orchestra start playing again. It's always tense ... because if the chorus aren't in tune when the orchestra join in ... it shows.

Even though the chorus will have done a warm-up before the public were let into the auditorium ... that was likely 90+ mins ago. In the gap you've been fried under stage lights unable to fidget because you're in the public eye right behind the orchestra... You can't cough or clear your throat - too loud (or drink some water - too visible) all of which would be ok in a rehearsal.

Today, 04:47 AM	#601
JeremyNicoll Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Scotland Posts: 850	A BBC transmission of a concert recorded on 01 March 2026 in the local concert hall. It's Mahler's Symphony no 2 - the "Resurrection". -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._2_(Mahler) In this concert the orchestra is a BBC one & the chorus (who only sing in the last 15 minutes or so) is one I used to sing in; I've sung in performances of this work several times - so it's a nostalgic listen. Just before the chorus start to sing the (huge) orchestra gets quieter & quieter. The chorus who've been sitting down for more than hour by then start to sing very quietly & slowly grow in volume ... before the orchestra start playing again. It's always tense ... because if the chorus aren't in tune when the orchestra join in ... it shows. Even though the chorus will have done a warm-up before the public were let into the auditorium ... that was likely 90+ mins ago. In the gap you've been fried under stage lights unable to fidget because you're in the public eye right behind the orchestra... You can't cough or clear your throat - too loud (or drink some water - too visible) all of which would be ok in a rehearsal.