CE Birmingham Cathedral: Wed, 19th October 2016

[ardcarp]

There was some solid singing in this CE. I enjoyed the le Fleming Canticles...pity they are not more widely known Whatever SSW's metronome markings might have been, I felt the tempo of the Wilderness (except in that rather frantic fugal bit) made for a dull effect at times. Surely 'In the Widerness shall waters break out and streams in the desert', calls for a bit of lift, a bit of joy? After all, even the lame can leap and the dumb sing? Full marks to the treb soloists though in this and the Mag.

[Y Mab Afradlon]

Whatever SSW's metronome markings might have been, I felt the tempo of the Wilderness (except in that rather frantic fugal bit) made for a dull effect at times. Surely 'In the Widerness shall waters break out and streams in the desert', calls for a bit of lift, a bit of joy? After all, even the lame can leap and the dumb sing?

I thoroughly agree. It goes a long way to thinking that Wesley's perception of the state of English Church Music was correct and that subsequent interpretation of his music make more enjoyable singing as well as listening.

[mopsus]

This may just be my tidy mind, but if you're going to sing a hymn with 4-line verses to an 8-line tune, you really need an even number of verses. Repeating the last four lines of the tune for the final verse (unless there is some special arrangement such as a descant or reharmonisation to disguise it) always makes it sound to me as if the people planning the service couldn't count.

I also found the number of unison verses in the psalms a little wearing, but enjoyed the Wilderness, a personal favourite of mine.

[ardcarp]

This may just be my tidy mind,

The fact that it doesn't worry me a jot can only mean one thing!