CE: Guildford Cathedral Choir Wed, 22nd June 2016

[light_calibre_baritone]

(See #9 !)

Yep. I still think it's a naff piece of music...

[edashtav]

Yep. I still think it's a naff piece of music...

Surely "naff" implies incompetent and whilst Naylor's music may not break fresh ground, it's a thoroughly professional piece of work and most enjoyable to sing. Worth an occasional outing, IMHO.

[Miles Coverdale]

I think of naff as meaning unsophisticated, unfashionable, vulgar etc.

[ardcarp]

There are plenty of unsophisticated, unfashionable and yes, even vulgar pieces lurking still in the Anglican church music canon. Some of them we love because of familiarity. The Naylor is actually quite an unusual piece for its time, and trying to look at it dispassionately, quite well-wrought. So I'm not sure it passes the naff test.

[Vox Humana]

I'm with Ardcarp. I don't regard taste as a good or reliable yardstick. IMO, technical or structural deficiencies that can be identified as the cause of perceived weaknesses in the music are more valid, objective criteria. The Naylor is not my favourite anthem by any means, but I wouldn't call it naff.