Their repertoire includes Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker Op. 71a, Messiaen's La Nativite du Seigneur (The Birth of the Lord), Rutter's "The Nativity Carol" and "Il est ne", and Handel's The Messiah.
They were accompanied by the Philharmonic Chamber Choir (Singapore). The sounds produced by the pipe organ was magnificent.. I love most of the pieces performed, however, one particular composition was quite different from the others and i had 40 winks when that was being played ( so did Edwin! haha) .
Ah yes, as the pipe organ was placed much higher than our eye level ... it's either you slouch back on the seat or just simply look in front when listening to the music. I chose to slouch back and relax.. but realised those seats weren't really meant for you to do that. It was much better when the choir performed :P
A odd thing happened when "Hallelujah" was being sung. Some people in the audience stood up upon hearing the piece. I was nudging Alicia and both of us were puzzled. I asked if it was because these people were Catholics. It was only after which we found out that it is a sort of tradition passed down from Britain.
Explantion from Wikipedia..
In many parts of the world, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for this section of the performance. Tradition has it that on first hearing the chorus, King George II was so moved that he rose to his feet. As is true today, when the King stands, so do all subjects also rise; thus engendering the tradition. However, modern scholarship holds its origins in doubt: the King may not have even been present at the premiere.
This is the first time! i mean I have sang this myself during those days in my school choir and have heard this piece performaned a zillion times but no one rose to his feet. This is Singapore lah..what King.. alamak.
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