Choral Vespers: Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral 25th March 2015

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • DracoM
    Host
    • Mar 2007
    • 12986

    Choral Vespers: Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral 25th March 2015

    Second Vespers of the Solemnity of the Annunciation
    Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral


    Organ Prelude: Pièce Modale (Langlais)


    Order of Service:



    Introit: Ne timeas, Maria (Victoria)
    Hymn: Ave maris stella (Monteverdi)
    Psalms 110, 130 and Canticle (Duffy, Bévenot, Mawby)
    Reading: Luke 1: 26-38
    Motet: A Hymn to the Virgin (Britten)
    Homily (Canon Anthony O'Brien)
    Magnificat (Andriessen)
    Hymn: For Mary, Mother of the Lord (St Botolph)
    Antiphon: Ave Regina caelorum (Victoria)


    Organ Voluntary: Toccata Magnificat (Nicholas Davies)


    Assistant Director of Music: James Luxton
    Organist: Richard Lea
    Director of Music: Christopher McElroy
  • ardcarp
    Late member
    • Nov 2010
    • 11102

    #2
    Are they departing from Anglican-style psalmody which they've done in the past?

    Comment

    • DracoM
      Host
      • Mar 2007
      • 12986

      #3
      Reminder: today @ 3.30 p.m.

      Comment

      • Flay
        Full Member
        • Mar 2007
        • 5795

        #4
        James Luxton seems to be a decent chap. And versatile with his hands!

        Pacta sunt servanda !!!

        Comment

        • DracoM
          Host
          • Mar 2007
          • 12986

          #5
          Hmm. I always wondered about organists.

          Comment

          • jean
            Late member
            • Nov 2010
            • 7100

            #6
            Originally posted by ardcarp View Post
            Are they departing from Anglican-style psalmody which they've done in the past?
            Philip Duffy used to do Anglican psalm tones sometimes, but he didn't write them!

            Comment

            • jean
              Late member
              • Nov 2010
              • 7100

              #7
              Isn't anyone going to ask if it was boys or girls?

              Comment

              • DracoM
                Host
                • Mar 2007
                • 12986

                #8
                I'm surprised you don't already know the gender of the trebs, jean!

                So, life after the Duffys!

                The first thing I noticed was that the choir had a heck of a lot of work to do - more so than in a regular Anglican Choral Evensong. What was most refreshing in this service was the largely [to me, anyway] unfamiliar music, carefully set out round this Marian feast. Texts not that unfamiliar, of course, but treatments. The singing style was not that of Anglican worship, but lighter in texture, less weighty sound, agile but focused, definitely not operatic in any way. The odd rough edge, but for the most part, and given the variety scheduled, the ensemble showed great stamina and confidence. I liked the discreet organ accompaniment behind the psalms and other prayers, and while the voices sounded quite closely miked, the acoustic beautifully haloed without interfering. Actually, don't think I've ever heard the Monteverdi sung at that speed!! Britten was bravely sung.

                I'm not a fan of homilies in this form of worship. I wasn't at school, and nothing I have heard in Vespers and Benediction addresses since has erased that feeling: the preacher rarely has time to do anything more than touch on headlines. For me, music speaks more eloquently of Marian complexities than homiletic banalities, but I fully appreciate that I speak only for myself!!

                Loved the Davies Toccata.

                Comment

                • Simon Biazeck

                  #9
                  Originally posted by jean View Post
                  Isn't anyone going to ask if it was boys or girls?
                  No, not I, but I did enjoy listening to it as I transcribed an early 15th c. plenary Lady Mass from the Trent Codex!

                  They certainly did pack a lot into the service and it had an assured and contemplative atmosphere.

                  Monteverdi & Victoria came out on top, for me. Nice to hear the Britten in another and equally appropriate context, too. Not bad for a boy of 15!

                  Comment

                  • jean
                    Late member
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 7100

                    #10
                    Originally posted by DracoM View Post
                    I'm surprised you don't already know the gender of the trebs, jean!
                    I think you've missed the point of my question, DracoM.

                    It was a fine service and I'm annoyed with myself for not being there.

                    Comment

                    • subcontrabass
                      Full Member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 2780

                      #11
                      Originally posted by jean View Post
                      Isn't anyone going to ask if it was boys or girls?
                      The cathedral website says mixed, so no need to ask.

                      Comment

                      • Miles Coverdale
                        Late Member
                        • Dec 2010
                        • 639

                        #12
                        Originally posted by DracoM View Post
                        For me, music speaks more eloquently of Marian complexities
                        What on earth are they?
                        My boxes are positively disintegrating under the sheer weight of ticks. Ed Reardon

                        Comment

                        • DracoM
                          Host
                          • Mar 2007
                          • 12986

                          #13
                          Originally posted by subcontrabass View Post
                          The cathedral website says mixed, so no need to ask.
                          Erm...........sorry, where does the cathedral website say that?

                          Comment

                          • ocarina
                            Full Member
                            • Mar 2015
                            • 50

                            #14

                            Comment

                            • DracoM
                              Host
                              • Mar 2007
                              • 12986

                              #15
                              Thank you very much.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X