The Choir - Aled Jones
As we approach the final rounds of BBC Radio 3’s Choir of the Year 2008, Aled Jones catches up with the current champions, Chantage and their conductor, James Davey. After just seven years in existence, Chantage astounded everyone by sweeping the board at the last BBC Radio 3’s Choir of the Year competition. They walked away with, not only the first prize, but the audience prize as well. That was back in 2006. As we approach the climax of BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2008, Aled Jones catches up with Chantage conductor, James Davey, to find out what winning the competition has done for their fortunes. As James points out, the way Chantage was propelled to the front ranks of the choral world has been both a blessing and the burden. He also reveals what he thought of that ‘other’ competition, BBC ONE’s Last Choir Standing. Featuring music from their latest CD, and highlights from a live concert Chantage recorded at the South Bank Centre with guest beat-boxers MC Zani and Jestar* Playlist: Arvo Part Bogoroditse Dyevo Chantage conducted by James Davey BBC recording from the Choir of the Year final 2006 Rihards Dubra Quam Benignus Es Cambridge Chorale, Michale Kibblewhite CDE 84408, track 1 David Fanshawe Pacific Song: Chants from the Kingdom of Tonga Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Susan Milan (flute), BackBeat Percussion, Tongan recordings by the composer, conducted by Greg Beardsell ARC EUCD2159, tracks 25 – 27 Trad. Bre, Ivane (arr. AnastasNaumov) Trad. Zalibih Si Edno Libe (arr. Ivan Tonchev) Trad. ei Muri Ruzhke (arr. Kiril Stafanov) The London Bulgarian Choir, conducted by Dessislava Stefanova Alyana Galyana, track 8, 11 & 7 Hieronymus Praetorius Magnificat quinti tono – Joseph, lieber Joseph mein, In dulci iubilo The Cardinall’s Musick, directed by Andrew Carwood Hyperion, CDA67669 Jaakko Mantyjarvi Pseudo-yoik Chantage conducted by James Davey BBC recording from Choir of the Year 2006 Harry Burleigh, arr. Richard Allain When I’m Gone Chantage conducted by James Davey “The First†Chantage01, track 5 Bob Chilcott The Shepherds’ Carol Chantage conducted by James Davey EMI 509992357960, track 9 BBC recordings from the South Bank Choral Festival "Chorus" performance on 13 May 2008: Henry VIII, arr Ward Swingle Pastime with Good Company Chantage conducted by James Davey J.S. Bach, arr. Ward Swingle Fugue in G minor BWV.578 Chantage conducted by James Davey George D Weiss & George Douglas arr. Rachael Lloyd What a Wonderful World Chantage conducted by James Davey, with tenor solo by Simon Fowler Irving Berlin, arr. Hammond Blue Skies Chantage conducted by James Davey Eric Clapton, arr. Jamie Burton Tears in Heaven Chantage conducted by James Davey Bjorn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson, arr. Sanjay Manohar Thank you for the Music Chantage conducted by James Davey with soprano solo by Penny Dell Anders Edenroth Chilli Con Carne Chantage conducted by James Davey Arthur Hamilton arr. Jo Goldsmith Cry me a River Chantage conducted by James Davey with solo by Gareth Moss