Missa Solemnis

It's a shame the Missa Solemnis does get performed more, because it's up there with the very best of Beethoven's works. Today's performance from BBC Phil under Gianandrea Noseda with the combined forces of the Hallé Choir and Manchester Chamber Choir was very good indeed. The quartet of soloists were very good — I particularly liked Stuart Skelton's heldentenor in the opening kyrie — with the solo violinist on fine form in the Benedictus.

Trying hard not to melt...

Very, very hot solo run this evening. Despite leaving it as late as possible, the mecury was still in the mid-twenties and it was hard going. When I got home my top was so saturated it took me several minutes to wrestle it over my shoulders and there was a moment when I thought I might end up trapped in a swathe of sweaty spandex.