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King’s Singers return here for 40th Anniversary Tour
By: Tim McDonald, Classical Corner
For 40 years, The King’s Singers have delighted audiences around the world. They visit Kansas City this weekend as part of their 40th Anniversary Tour and bring their vocal magic to the Folly Theater at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, as part of the Harriman-Jewell Series.
Undoubtedly the most popular classical/crossover vocal ensemble in history, The King’s Singers have released more than 80 recordings, produced a popular PBS television series, and performed with some very impressive orchestras, including the London Symphony, Chicago Symphony and Cincinnati Pops.
In addition, about 20 years ago they appeared in a popular PBS Christmas special with none other than the Kansas City Symphony and Symphony Chorus, led by former Music Director William McLaughlin.
In a recent interview, group member Robin Tyson discussed the upcoming concert.
“Since it’s our 40th anniversary and we’re a British group, the program is made up entirely of British music,” Tyson said.
The concert will begin with a set of English madrigals, repertory that drew the attention of American audiences with the highly successful PBS series “Madrigal History Tour.” Madrigals are secular vocal works that were very popular in Europe during the Renaissance and later years.
“Each madrigal has an interesting story,” Tyson said. “We do a lot of talking to the audience; then we sing the pieces and bring them alive. A lot of people sing them with reverence. We think that’s wrong. After all, they were the pop songs of their day.”
The singers will also perform several contemporary madrigals.
“We commissioned these pieces in 2002 to sing in Royal Albert Hall in London for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II,” Tyson said.
Several works from the Victorian era appear on the program, including the uproarious “The Goslings” of Frederick Bridge and the poignant “The Long Day Closes” by Sir Arthur Sullivan. The program continues with a set of songs by Flanders and Swann, works Tyson described as “quintessentially English pieces.” The King’s Singers will conclude the program with “some English pop songs.”
Tyson joined the ensemble in January 2001.
“On the one hand it was terrifying to begin with such a famous group, but on the other hand it was wonderful to work alongside five such supportive colleagues,” he said.
“I suppose it’s similar to what they say about being a parent: the days go slowly but the years go fast. Now I feel perfectly comfortable, like riding the crest of a wave.”
That would be one very powerful wave, however. The ensemble performs more than 100 concerts a year, apart from their recording projects and commitment to learn new repertory.
As a father of twin boys, Tyson described the attempt to balance his professional and personal life: “It’s a huge challenge. We’re away from home half of the year. We do take off some time, though – six weeks in the summer, three weeks around Christmas and three weeks around Easter.”
Picking repertory and projects is a group process.
“We sit down as a group and decide,” Tyson said. “After 40 years, we have an impressive library of music. New recordings may influence what we perform in concert, and we generally try not to repeat programs we previously performed in a given city.”
That poses particular problems with Kansas City, since the group has appeared here so often.
Describing some of their new and recent projects, Tyson said, “We just finished a disc of Spanish Renaissance music for the Signum label called ‘Golden Age.’ We also just finished a studio album called ‘Simple Gifts’ that’s a collection of folk songs, spirituals and ballads. It’s the first studio album we’ve made in 15 years.
“We also just finished a project in Salt Lake City. We worked with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on a CD and DVD project called ‘Christmas in Salt Lake.’
“We always love coming to Kansas City,” Tyson said.
For tickets or information about Friday’s concert, call the Harriman-Jewell Series at (816) 415-5025.
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Undoubtedly the most popular classical/crossover vocal ensemble in history, The King’s Singers have released more than 80 recordings, produced a popular PBS television series, and performed with some very impressive orchestras, including the London Symphony, Chicago Symphony and Cincinnati Pops.
In addition, about 20 years ago they appeared in a popular PBS Christmas special with none other than the Kansas City Symphony and Symphony Chorus, led by former Music Director William McLaughlin.
In a recent interview, group member Robin Tyson discussed the upcoming concert.
“Since it’s our 40th anniversary and we’re a British group, the program is made up entirely of British music,” Tyson said.
The concert will begin with a set of English madrigals, repertory that drew the attention of American audiences with the highly successful PBS series “Madrigal History Tour.” Madrigals are secular vocal works that were very popular in Europe during the Renaissance and later years.
“Each madrigal has an interesting story,” Tyson said. “We do a lot of talking to the audience; then we sing the pieces and bring them alive. A lot of people sing them with reverence. We think that’s wrong. After all, they were the pop songs of their day.”
The singers will also perform several contemporary madrigals.
“We commissioned these pieces in 2002 to sing in Royal Albert Hall in London for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II,” Tyson said.
Several works from the Victorian era appear on the program, including the uproarious “The Goslings” of Frederick Bridge and the poignant “The Long Day Closes” by Sir Arthur Sullivan. The program continues with a set of songs by Flanders and Swann, works Tyson described as “quintessentially English pieces.” The King’s Singers will conclude the program with “some English pop songs.”
Tyson joined the ensemble in January 2001.
“On the one hand it was terrifying to begin with such a famous group, but on the other hand it was wonderful to work alongside five such supportive colleagues,” he said.
“I suppose it’s similar to what they say about being a parent: the days go slowly but the years go fast. Now I feel perfectly comfortable, like riding the crest of a wave.”
That would be one very powerful wave, however. The ensemble performs more than 100 concerts a year, apart from their recording projects and commitment to learn new repertory.
As a father of twin boys, Tyson described the attempt to balance his professional and personal life: “It’s a huge challenge. We’re away from home half of the year. We do take off some time, though – six weeks in the summer, three weeks around Christmas and three weeks around Easter.”
Picking repertory and projects is a group process.
“We sit down as a group and decide,” Tyson said. “After 40 years, we have an impressive library of music. New recordings may influence what we perform in concert, and we generally try not to repeat programs we previously performed in a given city.”
That poses particular problems with Kansas City, since the group has appeared here so often.
Describing some of their new and recent projects, Tyson said, “We just finished a disc of Spanish Renaissance music for the Signum label called ‘Golden Age.’ We also just finished a studio album called ‘Simple Gifts’ that’s a collection of folk songs, spirituals and ballads. It’s the first studio album we’ve made in 15 years.
“We also just finished a project in Salt Lake City. We worked with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on a CD and DVD project called ‘Christmas in Salt Lake.’
“We always love coming to Kansas City,” Tyson said.
For tickets or information about Friday’s concert, call the Harriman-Jewell Series at (816) 415-5025.