This year’s AM Live Candlelit Christmas concert at St George’s, Jesmond was simply stunning. My best friend Shirl and I prioritise this above all other Christmas concerts, with this year being our fifth. The programme included music by Torelli, Buxtehude, Vivaldi and Rutter and a performance by tiny tot Leia Zhu who started playing the violin at three and a half.
The highlights for me were Anthony Thompson’s solo for Clarke’s Trumpet Suite in D – a soft, sweet sound which brought back memories of singing in the church choir and listening to the ever-popular Trumpet Voluntary at weddings. I also loved June Nixon’s arrangement of The Holly and the Ivy and Tavener’s The Lamb brought a tear to my eye – so melancholic but beautiful. O Holy Night sang by the magnificent Suzanne Manuell brought me out in goose bumps.
Candlelit Concerts
As normally happens when sat in a church pew, I found myself contemplating life whilst in St George’s. Our daughter Rosie was Christened there seven years ago – a wonderful, joyous occasion which brought our family and friends together. Next year ANE closes and I plan to spend Christmas thinking about the future and how I can build a life which will enable me to spend more time with hubby Pete and daughter Rosie and to take up a hobby, not sure what yet, but probably something arts-related.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Alx