CE York Minster Wed, 16th July 2014

[Miles Coverdale]

Once again in such circumstances, as I and others have said many times on this board, false impressions are given to listeners when, for whatever reason, there is this lack of transparency.

No, false impressions are not being given. As I have also said many times, false assumptions are being made, and that is not the same thing.

[ardcarp]

I wasn't aware that anyone had implied that we were hearing boys and men from York or that anyone was trying to mislead listeners. Indeed, if the sex of the trebles is important—and it does always seem to rear its head during York's broadcasts... perhaps because Mr. Sharpe's boys' line and girls' line are both so excellent and, in many ways, so similar in sound—I'd think it would have been remembered that the boys broadcast last year, suggesting that girls would be involved this time.

At any rate. Ardcap has essentially already said it all, but I'll echo him anyway: just a tremendous service from all involved at York. What a blessing for the music-making in one of the great northern cathedrals, to have Robert Sharpe leading the choir there. Having so invested in them, he clearly trusts in his senior choristers to lead, and the treble soloists throughout the service—apart from the first, in the Magnificat, I wouldn't want to bet much money on whether we were hearing boys or girls or both, or as few as two or as many as five individual children—did more than well by that trust, offering sure, clear, and moving performances of an often very beautiful text. (This isn't even to touch yet on the fine young countertenor or the baritone mentioned above.) Rendered by individuals and by the choir as a whole, this service was a delight. I'm always moved to hear that one voice pipe up from among the accompaniment at the start of the 'My voice shalt thou hear...' passage in the Wesley anthem, and York's rendering hardly disappointed.

Perhaps it's because I wasn't a chorister as a boy, but as important as is the all-male tradition to some, so joyous to me is the idea that cathedrals like York have deliberately built musical spaces in which boy and girl choristers, separately or together, with the men or without, can achieve such a degree of musicianship and such a sound—every bit at home in the Anglican soundscape—as the one we heard yesterday afternoon. As much as the cultural capital of a foundation may deteriorate in some eyes for embracing its girl choristers, so proportionately does it grow in mine for elevating boys and girls alike to such a standard as this. As I've commented elsewhere, it's remarkable what a talented choir trainer can do when he doesn't treat half of his trebles as supernumeraries.

Will certainly be listening again. Sincere thanks to all at York, and so very well done.

Well said. terratogen.

[Magnificat]

No, false impressions are not being given. As I have also said many times, false assumptions are being made, and that is not the same thing.

MC

The fact remains someone assumed that a choir of boys and girls ( all aged about 11 to 13 no doubt) and men was a choir of boys ( aged between 9 and 13 ) and men when this could have been avoided by simply printing the forces on the service sheet or announcing the forces involved on the broadcast.

VCC

[grandchant]

I've just caught up with this and I have to say I found it outstanding. Mainly because of the anthem, which is probably the best 'live' version I've heard. But other things were also good, for example the unusual and effective sequence of chants used in the psalms. I also feel, as I often have, that York has an ideal combination of organ and acoustic. I've been there often 'in real life' as well as listening on radio and on CDs.

[Philip]

Have been wanting to listen via iPlayer but its having problems, so caught a little of the repeat this afternoon (but didn't realise it started at 3pm rather than 3.30pm!). Sounded very good...

A point of interest - Robert Sharpe must be a cruel, cruel man - check out what York have been singing this week...

Last Sunday - am Dove Missa Brevis, pm a dry run of the broadcast
Tuesday - Blair in B minor / Howells Behold, O God, our defender (plus 70-odd verses of Psalm 78, it being the 15th evening)
Wednesday - the broadcast
Thursday - Swayne Mag / Walton Chichester Nunc / Elgar Great is the Lord
Friday - girls only - Shephard canticles / Stanford Song of Peace
Saturday - Howells St Pauls / Gowers Viri Galilaei
Sunday - am Poulenc Messe, Elgar Te Deum at Mattins, then Stanford in C, Blest pair of sirens & Bring us, O Lord God at the final Evensong of term.

That's a mammoth schedule in anyone's book! I went along yesterday evening for the Howells and Gowers - the latter being a stunning piece. Needless to say, it was superbly done.

[Miles Coverdale]

Anyone who puts down Blair in B minor must have something of a sadistic streak.

[ardcarp]

That's a mammoth schedule in anyone's book!

..as a big sing, yes, but if it's all under their belts as regular repertoire, then no big deal surely. I loved Blest Pair of Nylons so much as a twelve-year-old treble I would happily have sung it several times a day. Perhaps Mr Sharpe was ending the term with what the kids liked best?

[DracoM]

The St T's NYC final service of the summer term is mostly the same every year, always including Durufle Ubi Caritas, but the departing choristers have a choice of anthem.

[bach736]

i-Player finally working again - what an excellent service.
Am I right in thinking the cantor was also Richard Shephard?

[Philip]

i-Player finally working again - what an excellent service.
Am I right in thinking the cantor was also Richard Shephard?

Yes - he usually cantors for all the services at York.

My post was, of course, somewhat tongue in cheek, but when I relayed that schedule to some singers last night they were a little taken aback! I'm not questioning their ability to sing any of it, but its certainly a demanding schedule in anyone's book. That said, it was the last week of term, and like you say it may be that the choristers had some input into the choices.

[Finzi4ever]

i-Player finally working again - what an excellent service.
Am I right in thinking the cantor was also Richard Shephard?

We've been truly treated of late with such rich pickings in both repertoire and quality performances from Liver., Cantuar. and Ebor. and with Winton. & Worc. still to come.

Great psalmody again this week from York and I'd like to laud the Shephard introit - (new to me and very much in his own best tradition and infinitely pref. to the hymn we had last week...)

[bach736]

I'd like to laud the Shephard introit - (new to me and very much in his own best tradition and infinitely pref. to the hymn we had last week...)

Also the superbly crafted, final hymn tune Scampston, again by RS - a reduction of his 'Exsultate' Easter anthem.

[chitreb]

Having been away I have only just caught up with this broadcast on iPlayer, thanks to the recently extended "4 weeks to listen" policy. However I understand that this is being changed back to 7 days following the problems last weekend. Let's hope that's only temporary because I don't want to miss CE, especially ones of this quality. Thank you York Minster.