If you could take anyone in the cathedral music world to dinner, who would it be?

[Guest]

And where would you take them?

[Double Diapason]

Are we allowed to resurrect the dead for this exercise?!

If so Allan Wicks.

[DracoM]

John Scott / The Ivy

[Alison]

Stephen Layton or James O'Donnell

[muticus]

William Byrd, Henry Purcell, Gerald Finzi and Herbert Howells - to the Fat Duck at Bray.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

No contest: Sir David Willcocks

[ilikewillis]

I think you might to need to expand a little on the reasons why for this thread to become interesting. How about if I let you have three guests?

[Magnificat]

I would love to have a good old gossip with St Barry in a greasy spoon cafe about the cathedral music world past and present including clergy he had known and loved or otherwise. There would be some delicious stories as well as food I am sure.

I would take him to a cafe because when he was at St Albans he always complained that he could never get a decent bacon sandwich in the refectory and I would like to ask him about the clergy he worked with and for because when he retired from St Albans he said, rather cryptically, that he would still be available to deputise for colleagues and to play the organ at clergy funerals!!

VCC.

[ardcarp]

Since Tardis travel is allowed, I'd go for Taverner (not Tavener!) because (a) I'd like to know what a choir really sounded like and what performance practice was the norm, and (b) I'd like to know the real story behind his alleged protestant leanings and his apparent abandonment of church music. And I wonder what 16th century grub was like?

[decantor]

Time-travel is not apropos - if it were, I'd look to dine Julius Caesar or Socrates before any musician. So, in the real world....... I'd book the snug in my local for a steak-au-poivre or similar - easy. I think I'd invite Robert Sharpe (a nice guy whose choral impact at York is already apparent, and who knows a thing or two about playing the organ) and Sarah Baldock (how does she propose to perpetuate the Thurlow tradition, that wonderful golden sound at Chichester?). And then it would be a toss-up between the Andrews - Lumsden at Winchester or Nethsingha at St John's: the former might win since the latter no longer graces a cathedral, but both drive choirs to die for.

And then I would look to steer the conversation to tell me how children can be inspired to deliver the repertoire so tellingly; what they look for in choosing new music for the repertoire; what their priorities are in preparing music for performance; what they would most like to change in their current regime; and much more into the small hours of the morning. Oh yes. I must get this organised without further delay. I've already booked the snug..........

[Op. XXXIX]

Are we allowed to resurrect the dead for this exercise?!

If so Allan Wicks.

Basil Harwood perhaps?

[ahinton]

Geraint Bowen - but with the city of Hereford being almost a desert where restaurants are concerned, it would probably have to be the Hardwick, the Bell at Skenfrith or the Walnut Tree, all of which are in the Abergavenny area.

[DracoM]

Good choice. The man has performed wonders at Hereford - a genuine CHOIR TRAINER.

[Lizzie]

Time-travel is not apropos - if it were, I'd look to dine Julius Caesar or Socrates before any musician. So, in the real world....... I'd book the snug in my local for a steak-au-poivre or similar - easy. I think I'd invite Robert Sharpe (a nice guy whose choral impact at York is already apparent, and who knows a thing or two about playing the organ) and Sarah Baldock (how does she propose to perpetuate the Thurlow tradition, that wonderful golden sound at Chichester?). And then it would be a toss-up between the Andrews - Lumsden at Winchester or Nethsingha at St John's: the former might win since the latter no longer graces a cathedral, but both drive choirs to die for.

And then I would look to steer the conversation to tell me how children can be inspired to deliver the repertoire so tellingly; what they look for in choosing new music for the repertoire; what their priorities are in preparing music for performance; what they would most like to change in their current regime; and much more into the small hours of the morning. Oh yes. I must get this organised without further delay. I've already booked the snug..........

I'm sure Andy would be more than happy to oblige for a good snug meal! Bottle of good red and I'm sure he'd tell you all the secrets of his success. For a small price, I'd be prepared to come along and take notes for you! Liz

[ardcarp]

I think a few DoMs ought to invite US out to dinner. We'd tell 'em how to do it...