What did they say about Simon's performance?
...we greatly enjoyed an evening with Simon Dunbavand in the Chapter House of Truro Cathedral considering some of the works of Olivier Messiaen. Simon explored the links between Messiaen's theology, spirituality and liturgical music and considered evidence of synaesthesia (or coloured hearing) in his works. With a very colourful display of emotive pictures Simon made a convincing case for the influence which he believed the colours played in relation to the pitch, chords, mode, timbre and orchestration of Messiaen's music.
Affirming Catholicism in the Diocese of Truro, Newsletter, January, 2009
The choir was conducted by Simon Dunbavand, a man of obvious great musical talent, for he not only conducted the unaccompanied choir, but also played piano solos - celebrating the centenary of Grieg's death and at another time a piece for the organ!
Marjorie Barrie reviewing the ECBC at St. Wyllow's Church, Lanteglos
Following the organ voluntary Dieu parmis nous by Messiaen after midnight mass at the church of St. Michael-in-Lewes:That was in the true spirit of Christmas!
Professor Jonathan Harvey
All the choir members look forward to Tuesday evenings, knowing that we shall have quality time with you as you teach us how to tackle the new music to which we are introduced. Thank you for encouraging our efforts and helping us to work as a team, treating us with patience and respect, sharing your immense knowledge of music with us and bringing out the best in us!
Chairman, Carlyon Singers, July 2007
We particularly want to thank you for your inspirational planning of the Bach and Albinoni programme in the autumn and for coming up with the brilliant idea of planning the Christmas concert around the Advent Antiphons. I know that many in the choir, as well as in the audience, found the evening of Advent music and readings not only musically, but spiritually uplifting.
Chair, St. Austell Choral Society, July 2007...a
real rapport has grown up between you and the choir. Your friendly
nature and generous critical praise mixed with good humour and sincere
affability, not to mention a mind blowing fund of knowledge and
uncommon skill at whatever keyboard is put in front of you has not gone
unnoticed, I can assure you.
Chairman, ECBC, June 2007...a
particular thankyou for sharing your wonderful knowledge with us. It
was a pleasure to listen to you and take in your professional
background and also your caring manner in which you coaxed us all
into "The Midnight Singers". I haven't been able to stop singing the
songs since I got home!
passenger on the Hurtigruten, January 2007A couple of Saturdays ago I had an amazing experience. I'd heard that SWEMF had arranged a workshop where one went along & joined in a day of singing & playing Spanish Renaissance music in Buckfast Abbey. By the time I had heard about it, the workshop was fully subscribed, but I was able to cadge a lift with the day's director & went along for the ride, just to listen & enjoy a day out.
Simon Dunbavand, the very talented young man who took the workshop, having been organ scholar at Peterhouse, has subsequently specialized in Renaissance polyphony in England & Europe He now works in Cornwall with choral societies & chamber choirs. He also has an interest in the music of the Russian Orthodox church, visiting St.Petersburg each year & returning with glorious repertoire to perform. Could this be the foundation for another workshop?
The morning rehearsal was held in a comfortable conference room where over thirty singers & viol players (and a curtal, for good measure) assembled to sight-read through marvellous works by Morales, Guerrero, Victoria & Lobo. Simon jollied everyone along with encouragement, gentle corrections & suggestions - he doesn't miss a thing! A dash to the pub for lunch & then back to the abbey where the group were able to put what they had learnt into practice. All the morning's hard work paid off, and to sit and listen to that sublime music performed so beautifully by a group of enthusiasts in such a lovely building with that fabulous acoustic -WOW!
Simon Dunbavand, the very talented young man who took the workshop, having been organ scholar at Peterhouse, has subsequently specialized in Renaissance polyphony in England & Europe He now works in Cornwall with choral societies & chamber choirs. He also has an interest in the music of the Russian Orthodox church, visiting St.Petersburg each year & returning with glorious repertoire to perform. Could this be the foundation for another workshop?
The morning rehearsal was held in a comfortable conference room where over thirty singers & viol players (and a curtal, for good measure) assembled to sight-read through marvellous works by Morales, Guerrero, Victoria & Lobo. Simon jollied everyone along with encouragement, gentle corrections & suggestions - he doesn't miss a thing! A dash to the pub for lunch & then back to the abbey where the group were able to put what they had learnt into practice. All the morning's hard work paid off, and to sit and listen to that sublime music performed so beautifully by a group of enthusiasts in such a lovely building with that fabulous acoustic -WOW!
Alison Schwab.