That 'continental' sound

[jean]

There is a totally wonderful Argo LP Music for the Feast of Christmas, which at the time it was recorded was a bit of a sensation.

Is that the one with Byrd's An earthly tree a heavenly fruit did bear on it?

I borrowed it once, and found that piece especially unforgettable; but sadly I have no access to it now!

[Roger Judd]

Yes, Jean, that's the one. There is also a lovely performance of This is the record of John, sung by John Whitworth, and also the early 17th Ely organist John Amner's O ye little flock. Very movingly the disc end with the boys alone singing the Coventry Carol. Some of these early Argo recordings are finding their way on to CD transfers - I long for the day when this one is treated that way. Michael Howard was a master craftsman.
RJ

[Dafydd y G.W.]

Before I moved to St Michael's Tenbury and had my own choir for the first time, I spent several hours with George Guest sitting in on chorister rehearsals and talking to him about training boys' voices. Much hinged on good breathing (obviously), and forming good vowel sounds, so that texts were properly coloured.

One thing about S. John's that hasn't been mentioned yet is that George Guest intended his trebles two make two distinct "sounds" - the "open" sound for continental and other polyphonic repertoire, and something more akin to the traditional English cathedral sound (though still more "open" than the King's sound) for repertoire written for it (Stanford, Wood, etc.).

[ardcarp]

also the early 17th Ely organist John Amner's O ye little flock.

Nothing to do with 'continental' sound, but one of my treasured CDs is of Amner's choral music, some with viols, sung by Ely. O ye little flock is one, but my favourite is Consider all ye passers by most affectively sung with countertenor Derek Tighe.

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66768

[Finzi4ever]

They broadcast Britten's Ceremony of Carols; and it was the sort of sound Britten would, I think, have liked very much. Not the 'plummy chorister' sound at all, but quite gutsy.

That would have been me, then as second treble. The harpist was none other than Osian Ellis, who had worked so closely with Britten.

[Finzi4ever]

Yes, Jean, that's the one. There is also a lovely performance of This is the record of John, sung by John Whitworth, and also the early 17th Ely organist John Amner's O ye little flock. Very movingly the disc end with the boys alone singing the Coventry Carol. Some of these early Argo recordings are finding their way on to CD transfers - I long for the day when this one is treated that way. Michael Howard was a master craftsman.
RJ

I was bought this LP by my parents before I started at Ely and told this is what you'll soon sound like... "And he 'answRed', NO!".

[Beef Oven!]

That would have been me, then as second treble. The harpist was none other than Osian Ellis, who had worked so closely with Britten.

What year was that?

[Finzi4ever]

Nothing to do with 'continental' sound, but one of my treasured CDs is of Amner's choral music, some with viols, sung by Ely. O ye little flock is one, but my favourite is Consider all ye passers by most affectively sung with countertenor Derek Tighe.

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66768

It's so good!

[Finzi4ever]

Yes, Jean, that's the one. There is also a lovely performance of This is the record of John, sung by John Whitworth, and also the early 17th Ely organist John Amner's O ye little flock. Very movingly the disc end with the boys alone singing the Coventry Carol. Some of these early Argo recordings are finding their way on to CD transfers - I long for the day when this one is treated that way. Michael Howard was a master craftsman.
RJ

Here it is Roger: Happy Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnscUknHJ0Ap6EpxW6Out0A

[Dafydd y G.W.]

Here it is Roger: Happy Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCns...0Ap6EpxW6Out0A

These items (with various others) are also on the 2008 AlbumMichael Howard: a choral pioneer. Historic recordings from Ely and Arundel Cathedrals which can be found on Spotify.

[jean]

There is also a lovely performance of This is the record of John, sung by John Whitworth

I borrowed the record when I was singing in the Renaissance Singers under John. I thought I remembered, and I now see I was right, that this was one of the records Michael Howard made with te Ely boys and RS men.

I never sang for MH, but that was probably a lucky escape, as by all accounts he had a volatile relationship with his sopranos, sometimes marrying them and sometimes sacking the lot. At one period he used men on the top line and they made at least one record, but I think that was Aeterna Christi munera which is cheating really, as in most editions it doesn't go above D.

[ardcarp]

I've no idea where this lot popped up from, but leaving aside the manicured, saccharine stuff they sing, they produce their voices (and make excellent vowel sounds) in about as un-continental way as it's possible to be. IMVHO, that is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km5KXNZOwqs

[jean]

Why are they dressed like baby monks?

[ardcarp]

..and why do they appear to be wearing hearing aids???

[Gabriel Jackson]

I've no idea where this lot popped up from, but leaving aside the manicured, saccharine stuff they sing, they produce their voices (and make excellent vowel sounds) in about as un-continental way as it's possible to be. IMVHO, that is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km5KXNZOwqs

They haven't exactly 'popped up'. They have been around, and doing this stuff, for years http://libera.org.uk/