Sunday, November 19, 2017

Highly Recommended - subjectively of course

For several years F. and I have been season tickets holders for the Keele Concert Society.  Keele is a University based about 20 miles from where we live, so it is easily accessible, being closer than Birmingham, where we would need to go to attend  classical music concerts.  Throughout the Autumn and Spring terms, a series of concerts is offered, covering a wide range of styles and all performed by  professional musicians. 

This season started with Foden's Brass Band performing several pieces including the Planets Suite (Holst).  After the performance the audience was invited to visit the University Observatory (https://www.keele.ac.uk/observatory).  The intention was to look at Planets through the 31cm refractor dating back to 1874.  This telescope is not used for current research, the department having more up-to-date telescopes, but members of the public are welcomed at set times during the week to look at the skies with this ancient equipment.  On this night, because the sky was clear and the Moon was almost full, it was too bright to see  the only planets that would have been in view, so the telescope was trained on the edge of the Moon. It was the clearest, most close-up view of the moon that I have experienced, so it was worth the walk to the Observatory, even though it was cold.

This week, the concert was given by an ensemble named Voces8.  If you enjoy 'a capella' music then it is worth looking up their website to get an idea of their travels throughout Europe, North America and AsiaYouTube provides many videos of their music.  They sing a wide variety of styles including jazz and musicals.  The 'highly recommended' is based on my own enjoyment of the evening - one of the best concerts I have had the privilege of attending.

P.S.For those on the  U.S. East Coast, Voces8, have close connections to Harrisonburg VA, where they are giving a concert at the Eastern Mennonite School at the end of February, 2018.


2 comments:

Renee Michelle Goertzen said...

That sounds lovely! I listened to some of their songs after reading your post, and I love vocal music like that. Harrisonburg is 2.5 hours away from me, though, so I think I'll have to keep tuned to their recordings.

Bernice said...

Thanks for suggesting listing to them on YouTube. I am always amazed how singers can sing without accompaniment. They sound beautiful. I am sure that was a treat for you both.