Monday, August 3, 2009

This is post number 70. I'm a little surprised that I still have things to say. Thanks, everyone.

------------------------------------
Several years ago I started turning British. It was a gradual change. First I started reading Agatha Christy mysteries, then I switched from coffee to tea, bought tea pots that are in the shape of cottages, and picture books about English villages. I even started buying commemorative plates with the Queen’s picture on them. My friends rolled their eyes as I drifted deeper into anglophilia and one friend accused me of channeling Miss Marple.
I’m learning to say lift instead of elevator, flat instead of apartment, loo instead of rest room, but I‘m still not clear about Bob being my uncle.
Also I was relieved to learn that Bubble and Squeak, Spotted Dick and Toad in the Hole are dishes and not ailments.
Yesterday I had an almost irresistible urge to drive on the wrong side of the road.

There is a Brit whose voice I have admired for a while, now. Andrew Johnson began singing when he was 7 with the Bath Abbey Choir and after two years joined St Paul's Cathedral Choir School, becoming Head Chorister in his final year. He was often featured as a soloist on recordings for the BBC, Disney (Prince of Egypt), and others.

Most importantly he was the main soloist with the Boys Air Choir, featuring on four CDs and in two tours to Japan. My favorite CD by them is Boys on Bach where he is the soloist on most of the songs. I especially love tracks 1, 3, 6 and 13 which are songs I was familiar with. They are Ave Maria, BWV 208, BWV 147 and BWV 170 (It’s easier to give the numbers than to write out those long German titles). This is a great CD if you are a Bach fan.
Andrews voice was a very pretty treble with a certain quality that is appealing.

With Sir David Hickox, young Andrew performed concerts at the Barbican and Newbury festivals. He was awarded a music scholarship to Prior Park College where he played the viola in the Wiltshire Youth Orchestra, and in his final year performed Grieg's 'Piano Concerto in A minor'. He was known for sneaking Westlife renditions into church services whilst playing the organ.Today Andrew is a baritone at Magdalen College, where he studies music and plays rugby. He is now part of an a capella group, the Oxford Clerks.

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your 70th post - hope there will be many more. With all the beautiful music in the world I don't think you will run out of things to talk about, particulary this gendre which doesn't get the coverage it deserves. Your blog has been a wonderful educational journey for me that I hope continues for quite some time yet. Many thanks and kindest regards Stef

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's great to hear, Stef. I agree that this music doesn't get as much attention as it should. If more people had the chance to hear it I know there would be more fans.
    As long as I can keep buying CD's I'll keep writing. Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete