RCS Bass and regular provider of the programme notes for our concerts Neil Heywood writes.....
My earliest memory of music - cold nights at Christmas, when the village silver band would play carols outside the house. Magic for a little boy. Soon after I learned to play all the twiddly bits of Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring on a mouth organ (fortunately not recorded? - ed). The peak of my instrumental career, I’m sorry to say.
When the Royston Choral Society is in action, Ian is a tenor. Here he explains his desert island selection…
This was far from an easy job because the music I like covers a wide range of genres. Choosing just eight pieces was nigh on impossible. So I have selected not necessarily my favourite pieces but music that made lasting impressions at various times. Roughly in chronological order these are:
RCS Alto Janet Backer writes.....
Earliest Memory - My Dad playing the piano. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and Bach's Jesu, joy of man's desiring were particular favourites.
First public performance - A recorder recital at junior school (sadly not recorded - ed).
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RCS Soprano Suzanne Knowles writes.....
As probably the longest-serving member of the Royston Choral Society, apart from Dick Prince, since joining in 1979, I thought I could let you know some of my choice of music for that desert island as well as recount other musical memories.
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio I think the opening overture and first chorus is the happiest piece of music ever.
Cynthia Pike, one of the altos in the choral society, talks about some of her musical memories and loves.
Name three of your favourite pieces
Pie Jesu – Gabriel Faure
Wonderful tonight – Eric Clapton
Anything by Richard Prince [Cynthia’s husband – ed]
What is your earliest memory of music in your life?
Singing hymns at primary school
What was your first 'public performance' of music/ drama/ or both?
Being a shepherd and playing a recorder solo at school!
The Royston Choral Society includes a number of singing couples who share a love of music as well as each other; indeed, some came together through music. Partners often encourage each other with practice and attendance at rehearsals; it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall if they were cast away together! Below, Peter Harris shares his Desert Island selection, and Linda adds her own particular favourites at the end.
Ian Sanders, one of the society's tenors, tells us about some of his musical memories and loves.
What is your earliest memory of music in your life?
RCS singer Neil Heywood is keen to share what he describes as a ‘wonderful voice’, he writes…
Who hasn’t thought what music they would chose if cast away on a remote island by BBC Radio 4? If you haven’t, now’s the time and there’s lots of inspiration to be had from the pre-thinking of other mere mortals like us.
