CE Westminster Abbey 9th March 2016

[DracoM]

It was the anthem in GG's final broadcast CE from John's.

[chitreb]

Just listened on iTunes and had no difficulty following the trebles in the Finzi. Did they rebalance the recording?
Thoroughly enjoyed the Nunc Dimittis.
However, I did find the tone of some of the trebles a little harsh in places.
I know pronunciations change over time but the BBC announcer: - com-plyne and pat-ranal (Compline and Patronal). Really?

[light_calibre_baritone]

Just listened on iTunes and had no difficulty following the trebles in the Finzi. Did they rebalance the recording?
Thoroughly enjoyed the Nunc Dimittis.
However, I did find the tone of some of the trebles a little harsh in places.
I know pronunciations change over time but the BBC announcer: - com-plyne and pat-ranal (Compline and Patronal). Really?

Comp-line/lyne got my goat!!

[Keraulophone]

The Finzi is a glorious piece...

But try this:

Choral Evensong from Truro Cathedral, 3rd June 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd1s4LtAh-I

Don't let anyone say that there is not 'proper technique' from any of the singers. There is also some magic there.

Glad you enjoyed this, ardcarp, as much as we did singing it on the wireless last summer. Performing music as wonderful as LTFFS 'live' to the R3 CE listenership does lend a certain frisson to proceedings (though soli Deo gloria, it should go without saying).

As you imply, 'proper technique' may mean different things to different listeners/singers/teachers. The difference here is that most gents in the back rows of the likes of St Paul's, Wabbey and the Drome are likely to be (seasoned) professional singers, having trained at music college/university (commonly Oxbridge) or privately, pursuing singing careers in London and further afield, especially in opera (eg ROH [extra] chorus), in which strong voice projection is essential), whereas the back row of a choir such as you will find in Truro Cathedral is made up of a mixture of young choral scholars (mainly pre- but some post-university/college), the occasional ex-treble with broken voice trying hard to sing alto or bass, seasoned old-timers who once had a reasonably good technique but which is now (it has to be said) fraying at the edges, and a few talented singers in between (though including very few with voices specifically trained to sing opera - actually, we do have a youthful Hagen at present (!), but he'll probably be off elsewhere soon) who produce the highest quality and quantity of sound. These are not professional singers, or even professional musicians, despite receiving a little 'beer money' for their wholehearted commitment to the choir and its usual six sung services a week, most are in a wide range of employment, from full-time school teaching to HGV driving, and from sous chef to tax inspector.

If a back row may get a little too 'boisterous' at times, then surely it's up to the DoM, and no one else, to sort it out and ask for the sound or balance he wants. Legend has it that when Andy Lumsden first arrived in Winchester, he found some distinctly overbearing 'properly trained' gents enjoying themselves rather too much in the back row. What did he do? He told them to 'Shut up! - you're not going to sing like that for me' (or words to that effect), since when that choir has sounded magnificent in every respect (just listen to A Winchester Remembrance from last year: http://www.regent-records.co.uk/product_details_294.htm).

If you're interested, Truro Cathedral Choir did make a CD recording (July 2003) during Robert Sharpe's memorable time with us, and with Chris Gray (current DoM) on the 'Little Giant' Father Willis. It's on the now defunct Lammas label and is still distributed, but seems to have slipped under the radar, perhaps partly due to its slightly limp title Living Bread and sombre cover design:http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Lammas/LAMM166D.

[ardcarp]

You put it so well, K. A good cathedral choir needs to have ATBs capable of 'stepping forword' to sing a professional-sounding solo e.g in a verse anthem or larger work such as VW's Mysyical Songs. That does not excuse the same people from being unable to sing within themselves for the greater good. It used to be a requirement of Salisbury men (only 3-a-side) who had to be both. As it happens I was singing with one such (Dennis Whitehead, now retired) last weekend and we were chatting about this very subject. I don't know whether the trend of some choirs to allow full-blown singing all the time is (a) because the guys' voices are so over-used they can't produce it any other way (b) because they don't want to produce it any other way or (c) because some DOMs don't want it any other way.

It is very noticeable that most continental all-adult choirs, certainly the Baltic ones, have Ts and Bs that sound different from, and generally more homogeneous than ours.

[DracoM]

Following this with great interest as real issues are emerging.

As a mere footnote, it is good to see what a gratifying impact Robert Sharpe is having at York.

[Keraulophone]

it is good to see what a gratifying impact Robert Sharpe is having at York.

This is no surprise to them that know him, as he is (IMHO) undoubtedly one of the best in the business, and he is likely to be there for the long haul. (And why would anyone ever wish to move out of those splendid lodgings in Minster Yard?!)

[ardcarp]

...I was privately hoping he might be snapped up by St Thomas, NY

[Gabriel Jackson]

It is very noticeable that most continental all-adult choirs, certainly the Baltic ones, have Ts and Bs that sound different from, and generally more homogeneous than ours.

The last time I heard the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (admittedly several years ago) the men were singing properly and the women were doing that awful non-vibrato thing which so many people think is lovely. The result was that at dynamics louder than mf they couldn't be heard.
Onthe other hand, Baltic tenors can be light-voiced and rather weak-sounding.

[DracoM]

In your opinion, of course............!!

[terratogen]

...I was privately hoping he might be snapped up by St Thomas, NY

I was privately fearing the same—!

Reading a fascinating (to me, anyway) recent dissertation drove home how tremendous a loss such a snapping up would have been to the music department—but perhaps particularly the girl choristers—at York. I stand in awe of the work Robert Sharpe is doing there and dearly hope that his 'gratifying impact' will extend well into the long-term!

[Nevilevelis]

Back to the present broadcast.

This was an excellent service from Westminster Abbey. Very satisfying in all respects - musicianship, vocal production, musical direction and repertoire. With members of several early music consorts in the back row, I would expect no less. I look forward to their Bax & Finzi disc which is in post production now, I think.

The balance sounded fine to me. I didn't think the boys were swamped, or however it was put above; quite even throughout with very satisfying dashes of local colour from all voice sections. Yes, deep support (thanks LCB and Gabriel!) in all the signing and no high larynxes here! No need to pass the straining post about, thankfully! I like the dash of vinegar in the trebles' sound too - just my sort of thing. A golden age for this choir under JO'D's directorship as far I am concerned.

Very moving to hear Howells's Psalm-Prelude, Set 2, No.1 too - one of the first things he wrote after Michael's death along with the extraordinary setting of James Joyce's poem, Lethe - so poignant, a real cry from the heart.

NVV.

[Nevilevelis]

(...) when Andy Lumsden first arrived in Winchester, he found some distinctly overbearing 'properly trained' gents enjoying themselves rather too much in the back row. What did he do? He told them to 'Shut up! - you're not going to sing like that for me'

What an appalling way to speak to people.... if true!

[jean]

All very enjoyable musically.

But did I really hear et exultavit humiles?

[ardcarp]

Maybe. But I'm not sure I'd sing 'ex-a-ltavit with a short 'a'. Without thinking about it too much, I'd probably pronounce the 'a' as in 'all'..... which is maybe what you heard?