CE Manchester Cathedral Wed, 25th May 2016

[DracoM]

CE Manchester Cathedral Wed, 25th May 2016
The Eve of Corpus Christi


Order of Service:



Organ Prelude: Christe qui lux es et dies (Scheidt)
Introit: Ave verum corpus (Byrd)
Responses: Smith
Psalm 119: 73-104 (plainsong)
First Lesson: Exodus 3: 1-12
Office Hymn: Of the glorious body telling (Mode iii)
Canticles: Third Service (Batten)
Second Lesson: Acts 7: 30-38
Anthem: See, see, the Word is incarnate (Gibbons)
Final Hymn: And now, O Father, mindful of the love (Song 1)


Organ Voluntary: Fantasia of four parts (Gibbons)



Geoffrey Woollatt: Sub-Organist
Christopher Stokes: Organist and Master of the Choristers

[DracoM]

Gentle reminder: today @ 3.30 p.m.

[mopsus]

It will be interesting to compare the anthem with Rochester's broadcast of it a few months ago.

[DracoM]

We don't often say this, but I really loved about this service - for it was a 'service' - was the devotional quiet of choir, organ.
And - is this an aural illusion? - there seemed to be no congregation at all? Well, inaudible in the hymns.
Almost as if it were a private service.

[decantor]

Almost as if it were a private service.

Agreed - an unusually intimate and engaging service. The choir never pressed hard, but sang with grace throughout - beautifully done, and not easy in a dryish acoustic.

But I think there was a congregation: I'm sure I detected a brief rumble as they stood for the psalm's Gloria.

[subcontrabass]

We don't often say this, but I really loved about this service - for it was a 'service' - was the devotional quiet of choir, organ.
And - is this an aural illusion? - there seemed to be no congregation at all? Well, inaudible in the hymns.
Almost as if it were a private service.

The cathedral service list indicated that this service was in the Quire of the cathedral. The Quire at Manchester Cathedral is tiny, so I suspect that most of the congregation would have been in the Nave, and so some distance away.

[ardcarp]

I'm sure I detected a brief rumble as they stood for the psalm's Gloria.

...a late lunch at the Deanery?

[ardcarp]

I agree that this was an intimate and devotional CE. The top line sang with great accuracy and skill, and produced a very straight sound. The back desks sang with more expressiveness...and I got the impression that in the Batten Canticles and the Gibbons anthem they would have liked just a little more latitude in matters of phrasing. It was as if the chamber organ was always getting to the end of the phrase a microsecond ahead...and words were snatched off too quickly. I am being hyper-critical here, because we were clearly in the company of some excellent singers in all departments. I just longed for the tempo to ease off a bit. See, see the Word is incarnate can be the most beautiful journey through Christ's life. I just felt as if there was a bus to catch.

[terratogen]

Agreeing with so many of the assessments leveled up-thread: intimate and devotional, and compelling for it. I've often heard Manchester's choir referred to as an almost 'chamber' cathedral choir; I agree here with no hint of derision. I'm grateful to the Cathedral for what struck me as a graceful and skilled rendering of repertoire for which I have a soft spot.

I know that Manchester have had some chorister recruitment troubles recently; while I certainly hope that they resolve sooner rather than later, it's wonderful to hear proof that the small group of trebles there, soloists and ensemble alike, continue to punch above their weight and to, under no doubt accomplished and caring leadership, offer worship that remains, to my ear, well within a so-beloved Anglican soundscape.

(Bonus points for captivating readers.)

Thanks to all!