CE Lichfield Cathedral Wed, 15th June 2016

[DracoM]

CE Lichfield Cathedral



Order of Service:


Introit: Exsultate Deo (Palestrina)
Responses: Benjamin Lamb
Psalm 78 (Oakeley, Parratt, Goss, Lamb, Parry, Monk, Bairstow, Cooke, Mann)
First Lesson: Isaiah 5: 8-24
Canticles: Grayston Ives in D
Second Lesson: James 1: 17-25
Anthem: When Israel came out of Egypt (East)
Hymn: Ye that know the Lord is gracious (Hyfrydol)


Organ Voluntary: Organ Sonata in G - Allegro maestoso (Elgar)



Organist: Martyn Rawles
Director of Music: Benjamin Lamb

[chrisjstanley]

Looks like the Full Monty Psalm 78 complete with a veritable cricket team of chants.

bws
Chris S

[DracoM]

Today @ 3.30 p.m.

[DracoM]

Spirited stuff. Really attacked the Palestrina, and surprised us with a really interesting take on the East.
A long, undimmed and breathless romp through mighty Psalm 78. Trebs sounded ready for action, really delivered, some young-sounding voices on back rows.

Bracing and just right for a goodly summer day.

[ardcarp]

I heard it on the car radio with a LOT of rain and wet-road noise in the background. Despite all that I could hear the words very clearly. The choir did not flag at all in the (mainly f - ff) 15th evening psalmody, and sounded well up for the challenge. I too thought the East was great. I would have liked a little more subtlety of phrasing in the Palestrina. The Canticles were not too challenging musically and were obviously written to be 'approachable'. I thought they came over extremely well.

Lichfield has a splendid organ with a distinct accent rather different from the usual Willis heritage. (Holditch - Hill - Harrison, I think) I remember it well from before the last TWO rebuilds!

I wonder if the choir was singing from West of the screen? There seemed a bit more reverb than is to be found in the choir stalls. Was anyone there who can verify or otherwise?

[DracoM]

Interesting point about location - hadn't thought of that. Goodonyer, ardcarp!

Seemed as if a heck of a lot of them got solos in the East - very confident decision entirely justified.

[richardshakeshaft]

I wonder if the choir was singing from West of the screen?

The choir was singing in its usual stalls in the quire.

[ardcarp]

Thanks!
Good to see a picture of Lichfield on the website...unique in having 3 spires.

[richardshakeshaft]

Good to see a picture of Lichfield on the website...unique in having 3 spires.

Apart from Truro and St Mary's, Edinburgh...

Unique in being the only mediaeval cathedral with three spires! :)

[Op. XXXIX]

A long, undimmed and breathless romp through mighty Psalm 78. Trebs sounded ready for action, really delivered, some young-sounding voices on back rows.

Sorry that Hyfrydol didn't make the broadcast, curious what Lichfield would have done with an endearing favourite.

[Keraulophone]

Apart from Truro and...

St Mary's Spire - the fourth, copper-clad, spire of Truro Cathedral:



Oh alright then, three and a half!

[DracoM]

Second week running - significant change in order of service. Who has responsibility for setting / final editing of the service list?
And on BOTH occasions left continuity with a longish fill-in to accommodate the cancellation of an item. Hmm.

[jonfan]

Wonderful singing throughout. The Psalm singing showed tremendous attack and confidence with a colourful variety of chants. We've had some excellent examples in recent weeks of diverse ways to respond to them. Long gone are the days when Dvorak went to evensong at St Paul's and asked 'Why are they singing the same bad tune over and over again?'
A lovely, gentle treble sound at the start of the Mag and great solos in the East.
Maybe the hymn was cut so more time could be given to the urgent prayers.? Thank you Lichfield.

[chitreb]

Great clarity of diction.

I wonder what the record is for Psalm 78 - they must have come close - but a great sing.

Re the earlier comment about a cricket team of chant composers I was slightly doubtful until I did a Google search and was able to track all the names to cricketers, not just the obvious ones.