CE St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle 11th Feb 2015

[Vox Humana]

Loved the psalms. Really enjoyable anthem too. Interesting little "intonatio" (for want of a better word) while the strings were tuning. Is that a commonplace practice? I've never heard it done before, but I do live a secluded life. Wasn't keen on the big rits in some of the responses, but yer pays yer money etc... Super playing in BWV 566; the rhetorical flourishes were particularly winning.

[Magnificat]

I suspect things aren't quite as simple as that, Magnificat.

To create consistent, long-term quality and sustainability, one can't simply fill up any vacant places in one go because all you're doing is kicking the problem down the road. In 4 or 5 years time, you'd have the same problem again: a big hole in the top of the choir when that large year of choristers' voices break, and they have to stand down. Then you'd be left, once again, with the remaining (younger) choristers shouldering premature responsibility, and the music department facing another rebuilding job.

Peanut et al

I appreciate this.

Of course, DoMs have to recruit consistently to keep the succession going.

I was really trying to make the point that you don't need a lot of boys in a choir of boys at the various stages of development at any one time to make a good sound if the half dozen or so that are older and experienced have been well trained.

Obviously the nine that sang at Windsor are very well trained but if this is all that James Vivian has and there are no more up and coming ( which I doubt ) then he is in trouble.

In St Albans at Saturday Evensong they use only the senior and more experienced boys who sing with half the men (6) and whose numbers vary according to circumstances. They aim for about 14 but often it can be about eight or nine or even lower. Visitors to the cathedral who stay to the service are often completely overwhelmed by the sound that so few boys can make.

VCC.

[The Jackal]

I *believe* that following a successful chorister for a day initiative last year, they have 5 terrific new probationers and they have just done another chorister for a day which is looking as if it will yield the same again.

[Finzi4ever]

A veritable jewel of a service.

Good trebs with proper chest voices and an outstanding soloist - is he not BBC Chorister of the Year or something? - plus well rehearsed men who actually sang for each other instead of shouldering their way into the limelight. Real James Vivian style. Ensemble first and last. And all sung at a cracking pace but unhurrynig - if you see what I mean - with real authority and musicality. Loved the Bach vol too.

Real feather in the cap of the 'new' regime at Windsor. They sounded confident, comfortable and enjoying life.

That really was the best I have heard from that Royal Peculiar in quite a long time. I loved it.

[ardcarp]

Interesting little "intonatio" (for want of a better word) while the strings were tuning. Is that a commonplace practice? I've never heard it done before, but I do live a secluded life. Wasn't keen on the big rits in some of the responses, but yer pays yer money etc..

I can't remember when tuning up was done in a broadcast CE (though it must be a bit scary for players to start 'cold'). Also slightly agree about the rits...he took those responses at a great lick, which made the rits seem slightly out of place; BUT JV got what he wanted, so good on him....and who are we to grumble?

[LTFC1990]

One of the finest broadcasts I've heard in a long time. The best I've head the boys from Windsor sound, since the fantastic Christopher Robinson Tomkins and Parry CDs, and the men sounded fantastic as they always do; solostic, whilst retaining "blend". This was the closest to the sound of an adult professional consort I've ever heard from a choir with choristers. (That is, of course, not to suggest that professional consorts are any better than choirs with choristers, just different stylistically)

If it's true that there were only 9 boys, then that is a bit worrying, but I'm sure James Vivian will sort that out, as he did at Temple Church!