Writers’ Christmas Choices: Kate Calder
To herald the arrival of the festive season, we’ve invited three of our writers to offer their recommendations for what to enjoy from the comfort of your sofa this Christmas.
What I’m giving for Christmas
Chopin Piano Concertos by the RSNO with Benjamin Grosvenor, was Elim Chan’s first recording with the orchestra in February and won the Gramophone’s Concerto Award. That will be in my partner, David’s, stocking this year. I heard last weekend that it heralded a focus on Polish music by the RSNO over the next year, something to look forward to.
And as a bonus ‘The Sea’, a 1987 compilation by Thomas Allen, Sarah Walker and Roger Vignoles. I was reminded of the recording when I heard Thomas Allen singing Haydn’s jolly’ The Sailor’s Song’ the other morning. They’re all in fine form here, especially in Vignoles rollicking arrangement of ‘The Mermaid’. But have a hanky ready for Sarah Walker’s ‘Tom Bowling’, as touching a version of Dibdin’s song as you’ll find.
What I’d like for Christmas
An easy choice: Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘The Berlin Tapes’. A remastered collection has just been released, and the excerpts I’ve heard sound terrific.
And another RSNO 2020 recording, with the fabulous National Youth Choir of Scotland conducted by Christopher Bell. Cantos Sacrados contains longer works by James Macmillan and Thea Musgrave, but also some shorter pieces including the Tippett Spirituals from ‘A Child of Our Time’, and Whitacre’s ‘When David Heard’ which the choir sang in their 2018 Festival concert.
What I’ll watch at Christmas
The Dunedin Consort’s online concerts this autumn from Greyfriars Kirk have been enjoyable listening, but also beautifully presented. Their ‘Messiah’ this year is from Perth Concert Hall, streaming from 23rd December. Expect, as ever, exciting singing and playing from their small choir and orchestra.
And from 13th December Scottish Opera presents ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’, with their new, very fine group of Emerging Artists as Mozart’s lovers.
My Musical Wish for 2020
The BBC is promising us Cardiff Singer of the World “in some form” in June. I’ve been to six of the last seven. How wonderful to be there again in person in St David’s Hall!
