Do you think this is because they are such an uppity lot that they wouldn't take direction from anyone of lower rank? Choirs can be less than cooperative at times and need to be shown who is boss. When the young Mr Elgar succeeded his father as Organist and Choirmaster at St George's, Worcester he had all the members of the choir sign a copy of the Choir Rules, one of which stated: "The members to conform in all Musical matters to the instructions of the Organist, whose authority on all questions of Music shall be supreme." That was telling 'em!
Singers can be more uppity than instrumentalists. The picture doesn't suggest they are a stroppy lot. I don't see how you could sing plainchant or a Palestrina Mass without following a conductor. I'm at heart an orchestral musician, so I'm used to rehearsals where only the conductor speaks and any questions to him are directed via your section principal.
I took the fact that that choir was under the direction of a cardinal as a mark of the importance of the Mass and maybe he likes conducting choirs?
2 comments:
"Choir under the direction of a Cardinal."
Do you think this is because they are such an uppity lot that they wouldn't take direction from anyone of lower rank? Choirs can be less than cooperative at times and need to be shown who is boss. When the young Mr Elgar succeeded his father as Organist and Choirmaster at St George's, Worcester he had all the members of the choir sign a copy of the Choir Rules, one of which stated:
"The members to conform in all Musical matters to the instructions of the Organist, whose authority on all questions of Music shall be supreme."
That was telling 'em!
Singers can be more uppity than instrumentalists. The picture doesn't suggest they are a stroppy lot. I don't see how you could sing plainchant or a Palestrina Mass without following a conductor. I'm at heart an orchestral musician, so I'm used to rehearsals where only the conductor speaks and any questions to him are directed via your section principal.
I took the fact that that choir was under the direction of a cardinal as a mark of the importance of the Mass and maybe he likes conducting choirs?
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