Brixi Tour of Berlin - August 2024

Sunday 11th August saw the Brixi Singers singing the evening Eucharist at St Marienkirche on Alexanderplatz, in Berlin. The service was for the english-speaking community, so the service and the hymns were in English, and familiar. The Brixi sang the Gloria by Jonathan Dove,  from his Missa brevis,  and the Bryd Ave Verum Corpus during the communion. This was followed by a tourist event, ascending the Berlin TV tower (Berliner Fernsehturm),  and having a libation whilst watching the sunset.

Monday 12th August was the noonday service in Berlin cathedral. This happens every weekday, and is intended to provide a respite from the hurly burly of city life.  The half hour service was in German,  and then in English. The Brixi Singers gave a short recital at 11.30am, singing Bryd's Ave Verum, and Bryd's Sing Joyfully,  plus Britten's Hymn to the Virgin. A magnificent setting for some wonderful music.  (see Home page for photo of this amazing event!)      Then followed a group visit to the Reichstag.

Tuesday 13th August was a full concert,  at 7pm, in the church of the Good Shepherd (Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Zum Guten Hirten, Berlin Friedenau).  The first half of the concert was sung from the gallery, with Richard Lea on the organ, starting with Zadok the priest by Handel,  a good rousing start,  and including Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. Richard performed an organ solo, The Fast Dance,  by Iain Farrington,  and golly, it was fast! After a short interval to stretch legs,  the second half was sung on the altar steps,  with Richard Lea conducting from the piano.  This was lighter in feel,  including some madrigals by Thomas Morley,  and Stanford's Bluebird,  featuring Eleanor Hill. Dr A H Claire's arangement of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square amused the audience,  and the concert concluded with Rutter's The Lord Bless You and Keep You.  The group then repaired to a local restaurant for a dinner and some alcohol....

During all this singing, it was lovely to have our previous musical director, Rory Johnston, join us,  as a tenor,  and occasionally even an alto! He also joined us in the revellry at the end of the tour, which had been an absolute joy.  Thank you to Rory for organising the venues,  to Richard Lea for conducting and directing the music,  and to the Brixi Singers,  who gave of their all,  and entranced the Berliners! Here's to the next tour!!

Saturday 12th October, 2024 at Harwood Methodist Church

"Autumn Serenade", and we were indeed serenaded! The Seal lullaby by Eric Whitacre lulled us,  as did the Dalmation Cradle song,  arranged by that long standing friend of the Brixi Singers,  Dr A H Claire. Of course Autumn Leaves was sung,  along with The Hills, by John Ireland.  The audience was treated to O Salutaris Ostia by Erik Esenwalds,  and a very enjoyable medley of songs from Les Miserables was included in the programme. Tim Henshaw did a marvellous job of introducing the items,  causing mayhem by purposefully getting things wrong,  causing great amusement.  John Rutter's Gaelic Blessing was introduced as starting with the words The Lord Bless You and Keep You - the choir scrambled to check their copies!  Richard Lea was superb as always,  directing, conducting,  and accompanying. A wonderful evening!