Classic FM Hall of Fame - results

Further to my previous entry here the results are now out and the top 3 are:

1 Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
2 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2
3 Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

It couldn't be that this year is the 50th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' death that has something to do with it? (Note: the Alveston Singers are singing his Benedicite in June.)

My top 3 were:
1 Beethoven: Violin Concerto
2 Mozart: Requiem
3 Handel: Messiah
and they were placed 45th, 19th and 20th respectively.

The Apprentice

The Apprentice starts again tonight at 9pm on BBC1.

Archbishop Robert Runcie

Just heard this on tonight's Radio 4 comedy programme (The Museum of Curiosity):

Baron Runcie (former Archbishop of Canterbury) said: "the church is like a swimming pool; all the noise is at the shallow end". Very true!

Start the Week

Listening to Start the Week with Andrew Marr. One of his guests is Simon Russell Beale, the actor, who was a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral. He is starting a new series called Sacred Music on BBC4 starting on Good Friday at 8pm and Easter Day at 8.30pm featuring the award-winning choir The Sixteen, conducted by its founder Harry Christophers. Must see!

BBC Music Magazine

Reminder to myself - I must get it!
Informed by the BDOA of the April issue of the BBC Music Magazine. The free CD is of David Briggs playing Vierne's Organ Symphony No 3, and Widor's Symphony No 5, plus a 5 minute improvisation by David Briggs on the bell chime of St Sernin Basilica, Toulouse, where this recording is made. It is a recording on the magnificent original Cavaille-Coll instrument.

Tewkesbury Abbey

I visited Tewkesbury Abbey for the first time on Saturday. Why I have not visited this splendid place before, I just do not know. Anyway, having a friend stay for the weekend was an ideal excuse to go, and I recommend a visit to this Norman abbey.