Music lovers the world over will be more than familiar with the annual institution which is the Batcombe WI New Year's Ball. Its legendary status has only been enhanced over the years by the impossibility of securing tickets (they are raffled three years in advance in a competition open only to members of 25 years standing) and the consequent aura of secrecy and exclusivity which infuses every aspect of its organisation and accomplishment.
This year for the first time - in a gesture described by outgoing President Edwina Swarovsky-Thrupiece-Williams as "a gift to a troubled world" - cameras and audio recording equipment were allowed into the WI's "Painted Room" to capture "live" all the thrill and excitement of the event.
After decades of secrecy, the musical treasures of the Annual New Year's Ball at the Batcombe WI are now available to the public. Critical reaction has ben "mixed".
Mavis Bantock, regular conductor the Batcombe Chamber Players and Batcombe Singers (who have been providing music for the event for more than two decades) is delighted that at last the musical qualities of the event will be evident to listeners worldwide. "I am delighted that at last the musical qualities of the event will be evident to listeners worldwide", she said. "Hitherto only a small circle of privileged members has been privy to our musical quality but now it will be evident to listeners worldwide", she added. Music critic for the Dorset-based Dorset Musical Monthly Magazine Eflat Sharp is both surprised and puzzled at the unexpected development: "I am both surprised and puzzled", he wrote in a recent edition of the Magazine. "Surprised that they have opened themselves up in this way and puzzled at the results". Asked if the disc was likely to win many new friends for the players and singers, he was hesitant: "Absolutely not", he said, "they'd have been well-advised to keep all of this pile of steaming cxxp to themselves. They are truly dreadful."
The New Year's Ball from Batcombe is available in both audio CD and High Definition ThruK™ formats with a limited edition VHS Tape version available to special order only.
Purchase Audio Recording HERE
Purchase Bluray Recording HERE
A sample track is available below:
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