Advent Sunday: Chapel of St John's College, Cambridge Sun, 29th Nov

[Simon Biazeck]

Just loving the sound of this choir - best I have heard them, and what a classy solo voice in A Spotless Rose! A very demanding service, full of new dots, most of which I really enjoyed...

I really enjoyed the People, look East. Some tune to arr.! It reminded me of Malcolm Williamson in his jazzy idiom.

All delivered with terrific musicianship, commitment and lots of colour where and when it was needed.

[DracoM]

IMO, the best sung and the best engineered / balanced Advent Carol Service from St John's I can remember. The initial, nicely floated 'off-stage' MacDowall, the procession, Antiphonal responses, small groups, soloists, even congregation nicely caught. As were the readers from lads to oldies. Impressive - thank you Stephen Shipley.

For me, the excellence of preparation was exemplified throuhgout a fine and challenging range of music chosen. In the Poston for example - those treble leaps pin-sharp. The tricky Watts, with spoken as well as sung sections plus violin solo - erm...no name credited, why not? - Palestrina and Howells beautifully weighted.

Distinguished, and for me, way beyond KCC.


NB: Q:
<< Those wishing to follow this more closely may find this Order of Service of interest >>
Erm..........was the order of service I included at the head of this thread not easy to follow? How would you like me to prepare it? Always open to suggestions.

[Simon Biazeck]

NB: Q:
<< Those wishing to follow this more closely may find this Order of Service of interest >>
Erm..........was the order of service I included at the head of this thread not easy to follow? How would you like me to prepare it? Always open to suggestions.

Well, unless you print all the texts, which the pdf order of service does...

[DracoM]

I'll remember next time. Sorry to be unhelpful.

[Old Grumpy]

Thanks OG. I eventually found it but the website doesn't make it easy does it?

Agreed - if you click on ISSUU - but (as noted below #18) if you download the pdf it is fine.

OG

[Petrushka]

I'll remember next time. Sorry to be unhelpful.

For 'normal' CE services your heading info is invaluable particularly in cases where I've recorded it and forgotten to write on the details. However, it really adds to the feeling of 'being there' where the college/cathedral provide the full order of service with sung texts and Bible readings as a pdf.

Mention of Bible readings makes me lament the use of anything other than the King James version. I've no idea what version St John's were using but it just didn't have the same power and poetry of the KJ. Our own vicar ticks me off about this but I remain unrepentant. I found myself mentally 'translating' the text into KJ as we went along.

That apart, this was, as others have said, an excellent, well sung service. I wonder if it helps matters doing the same service twice in two days?

[Alison]

I doubt if you'd approve of the popularity of the 'Message' Bible in our church Pet!

Really enjoyed today's St Johns offering. All those Advent melodies are suddenly back.

I've always found Come thou long expected the most moving of hymns.

[ardcarp]

Mention of Bible readings makes me lament the use of anything other than the King James version. I've no idea what version St John's were using but it just didn't have the same power and poetry of the KJ. Our own vicar ticks me off about this but I remain unrepentant. I found myself mentally 'translating' the text into KJ as we went along.

Only just got home so haven't heard SJ yet. But elsewhere, I've just been subjected to non-KJ readings....slightly non-KJ, which is all the more irritating. I'd honestly rather hear an out-and-out modern translation (ideally with some literary merit) than a 'tinkered with' version. The tinkering arises (I am told) as a result of scholarship which 'corrects' a word or phrase here and there.

Much looking forward to hearing SJ (KJ or not) especially after all the glowing comments. It'll have to wait until tomorrow as I've got Advent overload at this minute.

[Miles Coverdale]

Usually done when there is an exceptional counter tenor in the backrows. I'm sure it will make a comeback soon.

It has to be said it's not a grateful solo for a countertenor, as it's pretty low. It works (in my opinion) much better for a tenor in F.

[mangerton]

Mention of Bible readings makes me lament the use of anything other than the King James version. I've no idea what version St John's were using but it just didn't have the same power and poetry of the KJ.

You and me both, Petrushka. I noticed that too. In church this morning we had Isaiah 6, with the six winged seraphims. We use RSV, normally not too bad, but I found the use of "two" rather than KJV's "twain", which I grew up with, rather disappointing.

[ardcarp]

It works (in my opinion) much better for a tenor in F.

Yessss!!!!

Ducks for cover.

[ardcarp]

Having just spent a glorious hour-plus with the cans on, I am speechless with admiration for the John's broadcast. Choirs, especially those with young choristers have peaks and troughs, and surely they are on the highest of peaks at the moment? The treble line clearly had some fine voices with the musicianship to use them. There is a misconception that the trad head voice is somehow lacking in oomph. Not here! And the ATB, whilst possessed of excellent voices were able to sing as an ensemble beautifully too. Of the more trad carols, I cannot think of e better performance of A Spotless Rose. It was perfect even before that terrific baritone solo began. And Gardner's Tomorrow Shall Be left me in raptures. Of the many 'new' carols, I was especially struck by Tim Watts Birth of Speech, a truly original soundscape. Does anyone know in what way Tranchell's Peole Look East needed 'arranging'? I know Tranks (as he was known) presided over an ATB choir at Gonville and Caius, so maybe it was re-jigged for SATB?

[Magnificat]

IMO, the best sung Advent Carol Service from St John's I can remember.

Distinguished, and for me, way beyond KCC. .

Draco,

Come on, there were just as good if not better services broadcast under GG, CR and DH within your memory surely. Andrew Nethsingha is talented but not the best DoM St John's have had.

At least KCC have their glorious chapel and not a grim old Victorian pile with no acoustic; and, of course, they will use the King James version of the Bible at Christmas!

I thought it a very good service but I certainly didn't think the choir exceptional.

VCC.

[ardcarp]

Comparisons are odorous as Shakespeare would have it.

Draco will of course speak for himself. I just listened, enjoyed what I heard and wish to pay compliments where they are due.

[Awkwardlistener]

Why do people compare choirs like it's some sad game of choral top trumps? Classical music, let alone choral music is struggling for relevance in today's society. Ridiculous therefore, to see people commenting in this way instead of acknowledging a shared love and past-time. Our niche corner of music can't really afford tribalism of this sort. Add to this, that most of the choral scholars of these various choirs are friends anyway, and find such choral antagonism hilarious as it is irrelevant. A fantastic service, and lovely sound from all parts. Many thanks SJC