CHORAL CHIHUAHUA

Robert and Eamonn just about made it through the autumn - even a brief encounter in Dublin - and chat through recent times, looking forward to 2023. After lockdowns and the post-crisis desperation for work, has anything changed? Music by Kim Porter, Thea Musgrave, Judith Weir, H.Diack Johnstone, Monteverdi and some 16th century pluckers. Performances by Chamber Choir Ireland, National Yo...

In a little square somewhere in southern Spain, Robert and Nicholas Mulroy enjoy Spanish music and Spanish food, remember good teachers, think about Leonardo da Vinci - and some interesting words (incl. Marmalade and Guadalquivir). Warning: INCLUDES CASTANETS. TRACK LIST: Anon: Tres morillas - Aliki Kagialoglou Anon: Su, su, su, su - Cantoría Josquin: Agnus Dei III from Missa L’homme armé sex...

...or 'Eight go to Düsseldorf'. British vocal groups give concerts all over continental Europe all the time. This is a little story about what it's really like to be on one of these trips: I Fagiolini singing at the 'Herne Early Music Days' in Germany on November 20th, 2022. Spinal Tap, eat your heart out. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. S...

Robert talks to one of the original King's Singers that sang for the group's  first  25 years. Countertenor 2 Alastair Hume throws light on those heady days, prime-time TV appearances, the glam (or not) of touring, (singing outdoors under corrugated iron in Darwin Australia but in full tails) and chooses some favourite moments. A happy listen - and a particularly Engl...

Helped by a glass of whisky, Robert and Eamonn reflect on their parents' love of music and how that affected them. Music by Flanders & Swann, S.S.Wesley, Victoria, Victoria (de los Angeles) and Byrd. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you start some sort of a career in (choral) singing? Robert meets seven young'uns who have been in the UK business from a few months to a few years and hear their take on it all. Their musical choices range from Caroline Shaw, Bax and weird 17th century polyphony to groups such as Roomful of Teeth, Poeme Harmonique and the Finzi Singers. Recorded on location in Lucca, Italy, the Y...

Eamonn and Robert are back to chew the choral cud - this week about autumnal projects. Music by James MacMillan, Billiam Wyrd, Joanna Marsh, Eoghan Desmond - and J.S.Bach in absolute rip-roaring form: why isn't the Gloria from his F Major Lutheran Mass available on the NHS? Performances by The Sixteen, I Fagiolini, Fretwork and the Gabrieli Consort & Players. Support this show http:/...

Robert and Eamonn do lazy Poulenc, angry Monteverdi, fizzy Bach and remember a Whitacre moment. Also salad - but why the disgusting rucksack? Featuring The Sixteen, Polyphony and I Fagiolini. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert gets out and about, visiting an old flint church in a Kent field on the Pilgrims' Way, with a history of singers (Deller x 2), early music, a puddings fixation and 10 Midsummer concerts. A feast from The City Musick, Fieri Consort, Swingles, the Rameau Project, Marian Consort and the four natural trumpets of Spiritato. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted o...

'Tenors and basses - would anyone like to conduct?' Ouch. Meet Rachel Staunton, director of London Youth Choirs. Inclusive by nature: also keen to espouse the chip butty (non-UK listeners, apologies). Inspiring episode and a must for anyone who in interested in what choirs  could  be and mean! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted...

'And I believe you were once arrested in Ecuador...' Meet tenor Nicholas Mulroy - Monteverdi and Bach specialist but so very much more: the soul of many I Fagiolini projects, thinker about art, assistant director of the Dunedin Consort but with strong musical interests in South America. A joyful episode.  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. Se...

Coming late to (professional) composition, Cecilia McDowall is now one of the most prominent composers of the UK music scene, particularly well known in choral circles but with more plans for the future than seems decent. Meet her and hear some quite haunting pieces, with performances by The Sixteen, Sospiri, Susanna Fairbairn, Cleveland Chamber Choir and Eamonn himself... Support this show h...

Eamonn and Robert enjoy piercing Rubbra, Bertolusi and Monteverdi - can that dissonance really be right? We finally get to hear Eamonn singing (Purcell) and another top hit from the Vox album. Also, who is Julia Donk? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert's favourite piece of 20th century choral music is 'Les Cantiques des cantiques' (The Song of Songs) by Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur from 1952. It's a 12-voice tapestry of choral  sensualité  that takes your breath away. Eamonn and Robert introduce it and ask why it's not more performed. (Spoiler: current time-sensitive discount offer on buying the scores at the end!) Support t...

Eamonn and Robert talk about two new albums: I Fagiolini's 'Draw on sweet night' of John Wilbye madrigals and The Sixteen's 'An Old Belief', featuring Parry's 'Songs of Farewell'. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert and Eamonn finally meet in the same room for Choral Chihuahua, discuss recent things and play favourite tracks. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No hyperbole required: simply meet one of the most fabulous sopranos around, and if you're not swayed by her semiquavers in the first minute of the programme, press button B and get your money back. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The chat continues with some of the  good  things that recordings can enable - but how far should you go in embracing technology? With music by Luca Marenzio, Olivier Messiaen, Giovanni Gabrieli, Alessandro Striggio, Handel, Haydn, Adrian Williams. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The non-intrepid trio discuss the how, the where and above all the  why  of recordings. Wouldn't we all be better off doing a concert? Support the making of  Choral Chihuahua  at  supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Regular hosts Robert and Eamonn with guest Clare Wilkinson talk about one-to-a-part singing, their top tracks and moments and why it's not just a small choir. Support the making of Choral Chihuahua at supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Composer, opera and lieder singer, ex-Fagiolino, he fell into the choral cauldron when small. Support the making of Choral Chihuahua at supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry, Robert and Eamonn chat about the highs and lows of touring, the food, the unforgettable onstage moments and 'the call of shame'. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Mary King - polymath of the singing world: fearless singer of contemporary roles, ex-member of the Clerkes of Oxenford, vocal coach and the ACTUAL inventor of 'Eamonn's' phrase 'inner chihuahua'. Support the making of Choral Chihuahua at supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

A Fagiolino and Sixteener now turned soloist, much loved by audiences, hear the warm-hearted Matthew discuss everything from preparation, attitude and terrible giggling. Support the making of Choral Chihuahua at supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vibrato in choral music - very out of fashion, everyone has a view: hear Robert, Eamonn and Harry's. Support the making of Choral Chihuahua at supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/choral-chihuahua . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.