Sir David Willcocks, 1919-2015

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

One thing that interested me was he says he had never given a choir vocal exercises to do, scales, arpeggios etc. - clearly considering them boring and a waste of time.

I go to a chamber choir practice where these wretched things are a weekly occurrence. Consequently my voice is worn out before the real singing begins.

[Miles Coverdale]

We were reminded in this afternoon's Last Word on Radio4 of Sir David's wicked sense of humour.

Was that the 'Fac me' story?

[doversoul1]

CD Review 17 October

1030

Andrew talks to Jeremy Summerly about the release of a 29 disc set featuring The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and celebrating the late Sir David Willcocks's tenure as Director of Music from 1957-1973. Six of these albums will be released on CD for the first time. Included in the set, titled The Complete Argo Recordings, are many of the choral greats: Bach's St John Passion, Tallis's Spem in Alium, Haydn's Nelson Mass, Allegri's Miserere - all recorded in the gorgeous acoustic of King's College Chapel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06h8lqn

[ardcarp]

Thanks for that, dovers. I suspect many of us will be interested in getting this boxed set. I have a lot of these old favourite Kings recordings, still on vinyl. They get dusted off and crackle away once every so often. So nostalgia will be enhanced by CD quality sound.

[DracoM]

Endorsed.

[ardcarp]

It was an enjoyable slot in the programme, Jeremy Summerly being audibly moved at times by the memories of Kings under Willcocks and Boris Ord. I was a little surprised that the iconic (oh dear, I've used the word) recording of Faure's Requiem wasn't among the greats. But Mrs A and I are definitely buying the boxed nostalgia set as a mutual Christmas prezzie.

[Cockney Sparrow]

The Faure recording I remember was an EMI issue. So there are many more recordings from the later, post Argo years, I presume.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Thanks for that, dovers. I suspect many of us will be interested in getting this boxed set. I have a lot of these old favourite Kings recordings, still on vinyl. They get dusted off and crackle away once every so often. So nostalgia will be enhanced by CD quality sound.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Faure recording I remember was an EMI issue. So there are many more recordings from the later, post Argo years, I presume.

Yes - RVW, Haydn Creation, Bach Christmas Oratorio (both in English) and Cantatas (with Janet Baker et al) as well. Probably a Warner box being prepared for Christmas.

[antongould]

Sorry to hear this news.

He produced the classic recording of Faure's Requiem.

That's the one I have in my collection.

Shamefully I have just listened to this for the first time. Clearly the best version I have heard and an instantaneous Desert Island Disc ........

[ardcarp]

There is a fine tribute to David Willcocks in the latest edition of Choir & Organ.

[mercia]

I didn't know he had made a choral arrangement of that Widor, featuring this evening on R3. Just listened on youtube, it's rather fun.

[oddoneout]

The Faure recording I remember was an EMI issue.

I've the LP of that(1968) with one Robert Chilcott as the treble. I've just tried listening to it, bit difficult as a piecemeal house move which has lost disc cleaning items, and HiFi equipment in need of revamping(especially speakers ) resulted in not the best sound quality, but the musicality of the performance offset that to large degree. Hmm, perhaps I should put replacing the sound system above finishing the bathroom and kitchen on the to-do list and then I can enjoy the other SirDW discs I have as well....

[oddoneout]

choral arrangement of that Widor

,
Heavens, what a belter of a piece! Perhaps it'll displace Parry for a while....

[mercia]

"my artist of the week" on Essential Classics. Today Howells 'Collegium Regale' which will probably be the evening service but I would quite like to be the Te Deum.