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Heather Cairncross

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Recreating the Musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein at the BBC Proms

John Wilson conducts his orchestra in BBC Prom 49 - Rogers and HammersteinWell this is the one I’ve been looking forward to all year – singing with The John Wilson Orchestra and being a very small cog in a VERY large ensemble, recreating the timeless musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein at the BBC Proms. The orchestra is 100 strong (where DID they get that budget?) and has some the best players from London Orchestras, the BBC big band and the world of Jazz.  Last year I was lucky enough to be asked by Christopher Dee, director of The Maida Vale Singers to sing in a choir for the MGM Musicals Prom. All of the original scores and band parts from the MGM studios had been put into the landfill for the golf course and were lost forever under the tarmac…..Ever since he was a child, John Wilson had a dream that he would transcribe the music by ear and bring that music back to life. It was an extraordinary achievement and the atmosphere among the audience and musicians alike was wonderful. Every time a player would get up and do a solo the other musicians who weren’t playing would applaud – It was one of those concerts I would have sung for free – please don’t tell the fixers though! The BBCTV broadcast was watched by three and a half million people and it’s already been repeated twice.

I will always remember the first rehearsal we had with the John Wilson Orchestra. The singers listened awestruck as they played the MGM Overture. The energy and virtuosity of the players was so uplifting. We’re mostly a cynical bunch, professional musicians, but sometimes we’re reminded why we came into the business – certainly not for the pay! This was one such occasion. So when Chris asked me to sing in the Rogers and Hammerstein Prom, I had no hesitation in accepting.

We had our first rehearsal at the Warehouse Studios near Waterloo and as the piano reduction hadn’t arrived, the rehearsal pianist only had a full score – she did a valiant job of score-reading the music which was written for 100 players. Half way through the rehearsal John Wilson arrived – he’d been delayed with some last minute transposition (changing the key for one of the solo numbers). Suddenly the music came alive as he injected his innate understanding and feel for the style into the accompaniment.

rehearsing with the John Wilson orchestra at LSO ST. Luke's

John wanted a shimmering, fast vibrato from the ladies on Bali Ha’I – “no choral evensong – a full vibby tone” he requested in his broad Geordie accent. He told us that the most important thing for the up-tempo numbers was for us to sing like a big band – with incision and a ping to the front of every note. (His orchestra contains a fabulous rhythm section at it’s heart and even a few members of the BBC Big Band).

The next night we had a rehearsal with the full band and soloists at LSO St Luke’s Church. This is a church which the LSO converted so they would have a large space to rehearse and it has developed into a venue for rehearsals and live concerts for all types of music. Here’s a picture I took of some of the orchestra from the gallery (I couldn’t get them all in!) The orchestra sounded great, of course, and it was a thrill to put our singing to their lush accompaniment.  John Wilson was a very long way away so it was a bit difficult to see him. We weren’t amplified either, so it’s always difficult for the conductor to judge if we’re singing absolutely on the beat because of the physical delay in the sound reaching their ears.

On Saturday we had our run through in the Royal Albert Hall. We were called in the morning as time is of a premium when Prom season is in full flow. We finished at 1pm so that the stage management could clear the stage and set up for the 3pm, afternoon Prom concert by I Fagiolini and the Britten Sinfonia performing Monteverdi. Later that evening the Rotterdam Philharmonic would perform Mahler and Wagner – a busy weekend!

We started a run-through promptly at 10am and behind the scenes the rehearsal was used for the broadcast team to set microphone levels and camera angles. We carried on rehearsing regardless and there were some funny moments – one where John asked the saxaphone section to play a bit louder – he joked (imagine the Newcastle accent) “I would have written that  tune for you to play on clarinets but I know that you’s all have sold your clarinets to buy a car”.

It was our first chance to hear the great cast of soloists. In the previous evening’s rehearsal they were the other side of the orchestra so we hadn’t heard them properly.

Another lovely moment was when the soloists were singing the lovely ballad Somewhere in my Youth or Childhood from The Sound of Music and they reached an instrumental interlude. The Baritone, Rod Gilfry asked Sierra Boggess, who was singing Maria, “is there somebody I should ask for permission to marry you?” There was a pause from the Sierra and John Wilson shouted over his shoulder “Andrew Lloyd Webber”.

I must run now and catch the train up to London to get to the Albert Hall for the show – It’s a sell out and I know that many people will listen live on Radio 3 and listening again on the BBC iPlayer in the coming week. The TV broadcast is next Saturday.

To Read Part 2 Click Here >>>

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10 Comments

on Recreating the Musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein at the BBC Proms.
  1. Nicola Cairncross
    22/08/2010 @ 12:54
    -
    Reply

    Great post – loving hearing these behind the scenes stories – and think of me when you are singing Bali Ha’i – South Pacific is just my favourite musical of all time! Sing your heart out love!

  2. pam
    27/10/2010 @ 18:04
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    Reply

    hi, loved the program, does anyone know if its going to be released on dvd, have contacted the bbc but they have said they dont have the rights, does anyone know who does?

    • Heather
      04/11/2010 @ 16:25
      -
      Reply

      Hi Pam. I suggest you try contacting The John Wilson Orchestra for the answer to that one

  3. DEBRAH WILSON
    26/12/2010 @ 14:43
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    Reply

    HI, I`M LOOKING FOR THE JOHN WILSON DVD TOO. THE ONE WITH THE MUSIC OF THE OLD MUSICALS FROM ROGER AND HAMMERSTEIN… I DON`T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT, IT` S FOR MY MUM. SHE WAS SAYING HOW MUCH SHE ENJOYED THE MUSIC SO I`M LOOKING FOR IT. CAN ANYONE TELL ME THE TITLE OF SAID DVD.

    MANY THANKS
    DEBRAH

    • Heather
      25/01/2011 @ 13:35
      -
      Reply

      Hi Debrah. I suggest you try contacting The John Wilson Orchestra for the answer to that one

    • Trevor
      27/09/2016 @ 08:23
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      Reply

      Here you go! http://www.ioffer.com/i/rodgers-hammerstein-bbc-proms-concert-dvd-2010-167380663

  4. David Groves
    11/12/2011 @ 18:01
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    Reply

    Is there any update on whether the Rogers & Hammerstein prom concert in 2010 is to be released on DVD? We had it on our Sky+ HD planner but recently lost this and the Hooray for Hollywood prom when our Sky box corrupted. Anyone who can help it would be really appreciated. Thanks David

    • Heather
      15/12/2011 @ 17:07
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      Reply

      The best place to find out is directly from The John Wilson Orchestra website: http://www.johnwilsonorchestra.com/videos/
      I hope they can help you!

  5. Trevor
    27/09/2016 @ 08:25
    -
    Reply

    Wow, I’ve just discovered the BBC Proms. I know i’m very late, but catching up on missed concerts. Your background information has been FASCINATING. I think the 2010 Proms with the R&H Musicals has been my favorite so far. As an American in my 40’s I grew up with all of this music as well. Thanks!

    • Heather
      27/09/2016 @ 10:07
      -
      Reply

      Dear Trevor
      I’m glad you enjoyed my diary – wow indeed, it must be like opening an enormous box of musical treasure! Enjoy…..

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Heather Cairncross Singer

3 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

I can honestly say I’ve never been better prepared for a recording!And, finally, our version of #musicfor18 with Colin Currie Group is about to be immortalised 🙂. Big day tomorrow when I hope we can realise all those little details that matter so much🤞.

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Onwards to Berkeley on the West Coast!Wonderful article in The New York Times about Steve Reich + the premiere of Traveler’s Prayer which gets its West Coast premiere TOMORROW at Cal Performances! "Reich’s sound is by now central to the history of American classical music — and modern art more generally. "We are honored and SO excited for this program with Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals! READ 👇 www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/arts/music/steve-reich.html?searchResultPosition=1

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Heather Cairncross Singer

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Heather Cairncross Singer

Never gets old! Missing my besty though!

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Heather Cairncross Singer

4 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

A quick turnaround from Brahms with Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras and Philharmonie Luxembourg to Carnegie Hall with Colin Currie Group and Synergy VocalsVibrato on – vibrato off!

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A Steve Reich Celebration Concert | Nov 1, 2022

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A Steve Reich Celebration. An all-Reich program, including a US premiere co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall. Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 8 PM.

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9 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Hoorah!Carnegie Hall has announced its 2022–23 concert season, including Rhiannon Giddens, who will lead four concerts as a Perspectives artist for the season; past Perspectives artists Kronos Quartet; and an all–Steve Reich program performed by Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals: www.nonesuch.com/journal/carnegie-hall-2022-23-season-rhiannon-giddens-kronos-quartet-steve-reich…

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"Ca-li-fo-nia here I/we come"!

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Cal Performances sets 2022-23 season of stars and world premieres in Berkeley

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Cal Performances’ 2022-23 season features a Steve Reich celebration; Yo-Yo Ma “super trio”; Mark Morris Dance; William Kentridge opera, much more.

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Recreating the Musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein at the BBC Proms - Heather Cairncross UK Jazz Singer