Legendary Choir Reunites After 60 Years for Special Recording
It all began with a simple advert in the local newspaper, the Ham&High, seeking out the original members of a choir who had participated in a truly legendary recording session. Decca Records was on a mission to track down the boys from Highgate School who had lent their voices to the iconic recording of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem back in 1963.
After six decades, Decca Records had finally released a newly restored and remastered version of the double Grammy award-winning album, reigniting the search for the choir members who had made history all those years ago at the now-demolished Kingsway Hall in Holborn.
The Reunion
The call for the original choristers who had performed on the 1963 recording session sparked a heartwarming reunion of 15 former schoolboys at a gathering in Soho. These gentlemen, now in their 70s, came together to reminisce about the unforgettable experience of working with the great British composer himself and being part of a recording that has stood the test of time.
Each of the choir members shared their memories of the recording process, describing it as a “gruelling” yet rewarding experience. They recalled the challenges they faced, including a particularly tense moment involving Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, who had a fit during the recording session. It was later revealed that her outburst was due to her feeling discriminated against, as she was placed on a balcony next to the adolescent boys while the male soloists were downstairs with Britten.
The Recording
Benjamin Britten conducted the soloists, choirs, and orchestras for the recording, which brought together the Latin Requiem Mass and verses from Wilfred Owen’s war poems in a powerful anti-war statement. The composition was written to commemorate the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral in 1962, and the 1963 recording involving The Bach Choir, London Symphony Chorus, Highgate School Choir, Melos Ensemble, and London Symphony Orchestra is considered a definitive interpretation of Britten’s masterpiece.
One of the unique aspects of the recording was the inclusion of secret recordings of Benjamin Britten’s rehearsals, where he could be heard urging the musicians and choristers to embrace the modernity and rawness of the music. Despite the challenges they faced, the choir members fondly remembered the emotions, excitement, and fun they had while recording with Britten.
The Remastering
The advert seeking out the original choir members was inspired by surviving members of the 1963 recording team and composer John Rutter, who had sung in the choir as a teenager. A visit to Decca’s London offices for a playback of the newly remastered version of the album sparked a wave of nostalgia and emotion among those present.
John Rutter commended the remastering effort as a “marvellous achievement,” while Decca recording crew members Michael Mailes and Peter Van Biene, now in their 80s, were moved to tears upon hearing the Dolby Atmos mix from the original mastertapes. The impeccable quality of the remastered recording made it sound as if it had been captured just yesterday, a testament to the timeless nature of Britten’s composition and the dedication of those involved in the recording process.
The reunion of the choir members not only provided an opportunity for them to reconnect and share their stories but also highlighted the enduring impact of their collaboration with Britten on the War Requiem recording. As they reflected on their experiences and the legacy of the recording, it was clear that their contribution had left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
