Greetings from snowy Berlin!
I have had the privilege of attending RIAS Kammerchor rehearsals for the past three days. The choir is working on James MacMillan’s Stabat Mater, Maximilian Steinberg’s Passion Week and Antonio Lotti’s Crucifixus. It has been fascinating to watch Justin Doyle work with the choir and their world-class sound. He is precise with intonation and demands rhythmical punctuality, while simultaneously creating a warm and respectful atmosphere that enables the choir to perform at its best with detailed finesse.
I had the opportunity to work with the choir a couple of times: rehearsing Stabat Mater and conducting through both Crucifixus and movements from Passion Week. I was nervous about some tonally demanding passages in Stabat Mater, which presented some challenges I could focus on. Working with a professional ensemble requires listening for subtle nuances. For me, the key is better preparation for listening and anticipating what to listen for.
Nevertheless, it is crucial to reset your mind after rehearsals – especially if something didn’t go as planned. In our profession, there is always room for improvement. The quicker we can get over our setbacks, the faster we can turn challenges into learning opportunities and wake up a little more experienced.