Choral Vespers from London Oratory 20.i.2016

[DracoM]

Choral Vespers from London Oratory
Wed, 20th January 2016



Order of Service:


Organ Prelude: Intonatio del ottavo tono (Andrea Gabrieli)
Invitatory: Anon (17th century)
Psalms 128-132 (Gregorian chant and falsi-bordoni)
Office Hymn: Sanctorum meritis (Gregorian chant and Palestrina)
Magnificat sexti toni (Lassus)
Antiphon of Our Lady: Alma Redemptoris Mater (L'Héritier)


Organ Voluntary: Praeludium in D minor, BuxWV140 (Buxtehude)


Celebrant: The Revd Father Michael Lang


Organist: Ben Bloor
Director of Music: Patrick Russill

[ardcarp]

This from Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_l'H%C3%A9ritier

[DracoM]

Reminder: today @ 3.30 p.m.

[ardcarp]

That's the first piece by Heritier I've (knowingly) heard. Good stuff. The rest of Choral Vespers had to serve as background to a task I was doing. It sounded good, so I look forward to listening in more detail.

[Nevilevelis]

A very fine service.

Exquisite and stylish psalm signing from a disciplined ensemble. The polyphony was excellent too (L'Héritier's Alma redemptoris mater is very fine!) This choir's sound is fervent, but controlled, and with just enough vocal edge to discern its denomination. In fact, if I didn't know better, I may have thought this was a top-notch Continental choir. A lot of what I hear that is supposedly "continental" over here often sounds rather pushed and relentless to me. Not so, this ensemble! AND I'm sure I heard some pure fifths and thirds too!

Likewise the organist, Benjamin Bloor, in solo and accompaniments - full of character and rhythmic verve. Recently appointed, I believe and quite young!

Greatly looking forward to another listen.

NVV.

[ardcarp]

In fact, if I didn't know better, I may have thought this was a top-notch Continental choir.

Maybe, ne vile. The ATBs had a fairly home-grown sound to me!

[DracoM]

'Fraid I thought this Vespers pretty unremarkable apart form the Heritier.

[Nevilevelis]

'Fraid I thought this Vespers pretty unremarkable apart form the Heritier.

Oh, really?! Why so? Do tell.

[Nevilevelis]

Maybe, ne vile. The ATBs had a fairly home-grown sound to me!

Yes, possibly. Now you've mentioned it I'm sure I will think this when I listen again. However, I do think the overall sound, approach to vocal production and phrasing, in particular, as well as tempo (a refreshing urgency at times, but never rushed) is remarkably different from what we usually hear on this programme. (That is not a tacit admonishment of what we usually hear!).

Great to hear Old Rite Vepsers sung so beautifully and with such assurance.

[DracoM]

Listening to the repeat, and have to say there must be easier things if you are a choir than having to follow the Huelgas Ensemble in singing a cappella music!

[light_calibre_baritone]

Listening to the repeat, and have to say there must be easier things if you are a choir than having to follow the Huelgas Ensemble in singing a cappella music!

Funny thing to say. Most of that choir are in all of the major UK pro-ensembles.. Some may even have sung in Hueglas.

[Nevilevelis]

Even better on a second hearing. Heavenly psalms and that Alma - wow!