Jane’s autumn music guide 1 – orchestras
Two symphony orchestra concerts coming up in Durham this autumn are a great place to start exploring classical music.
DUCC: Even in silence
Music inspired by the Russian orthodox tradition of searching for God’s light through stillness, sung magnificently by Durham University Chamber Choir.
DUOS: Ravel to Rachmaninov
From a solo oboe to the blaze of the full symphony orchestra, Durham University Orchestral Society trod a carefully plotted path in their Epiphany term concert, in which each piece on the programme added to what had gone before, from the Chamber Orchestra’s delicate colouring of Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin to a punchy performance of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances.
Pickled cucumbers and cabbage soup
I’m singing Rachmaninov Vespers with Durham Singers at the moment, and although I don’t have to battle with the language, I’ve had to overcome the effect it has on my spirits. Two Russian words sum up the musings in this blog post: ‘toska’ and ‘radost’.
Rachmaninov – a few useful words
Some key Church Slavonic vocabulary from Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil (Vespers).
Guest review: Liz Watford on Parnassius Piano Duo
Guest reviewer Liz Watford of the Durham Amateur Pianists group reviews the Parnassius Piano duo performing at Durham University Music Department.
