Choral Evensong: Wed, Nov 15th 2017

[Vox Humana]

I rather assumed that VH was referring to the general programmes on the Third/Radio 3, not to Choral Evensong, which as you rightly say wasn't on the station until the 1970s.

Thank you. Yes, that's correct - and, as subcontrabass pointed out, Choral Evensong still isn't the responsibility of Radio 3. I was just bemoaning the fact that the station isn't what it was in days of yore. My own gripe is the marginalisation of the sort of imaginative Medieval and Renaissance music programming that Denis Stevens initiated back in the days of the Third Programme and which obtained into the '70s at least. I don't particularly blame the BBC for this. If you haven't got the money, you can't make the programmes.

[Roger Judd]

In an article about Choral Evensong, Stephen Shipley quoted from the BBC website '... an atmosphere of great stillness when people are uplifted by the sheer beauty of choral singing. The heritage of the English choral tradition is unique and it’s greatly valued. Throughout weekly broadcasts, hundreds of thousands can share this unparalleled experience.’ I think that some time, long ago, the idea was that the listener at home should be eaves-dropping into a service that was going on regardless of who was present. I used to say to the choristers I was training that it didn't matter whether there were three people in the congregation or one hundred, the performance has to be of the highest standard because only the best was good enough for the Almighty. I know that this is a tenet held by all music directors. If the BBC is going to resort to increased use of commercially available recordings, or even archive recordings of earlier broadcasts, this ceases to be a dropping in on a 'normal / regular' act of worship.
Someone up-thread asked who to write to: Philip Billson is BBC Series Producer for Choral Evensong. Another useful voice is Roger Bolton of Radio 4's Feedback. The present trend for using archive / commercial recordings must not / should not go unchallenged, even if it is only a temporary one.
RJ

[french frank]

Someone up-thread asked who to write to: Philip Billson is BBC Series Producer for Choral Evensong.
RJ

The formula is firstname.secondname@bbc.co.uk

Another useful voice is Roger Bolton of Radio 4's Feedback. The present trend for using archive / commercial recordings must not / should not go unchallenged, even if it is only a temporary one.

feedback@bbc.co.uk

[ardcarp]

In the days of the Third Programme, Choral Evensong was on the Home Service.

...and if I recall correctly, twice a week, Wednesday and Friday.

In an article about Choral Evensong, Stephen Shipley quoted from the BBC website '... an atmosphere of great stillness when people are uplifted by the sheer beauty of choral singing. The heritage of the English choral tradition is unique and it’s greatly valued. Throughout weekly broadcasts, hundreds of thousands can share this unparalleled experience.’ I think that some time, long ago, the idea was that the listener at home should be eaves-dropping into a service that was going on regardless of who was present. I used to say to the choristers I was training that it didn't matter whether there were three people in the congregation or one hundred, the performance has to be of the highest standard because only the best was good enough for the Almighty. I know that this is a tenet held by all music directors. If the BBC is going to resort to increased use of commercially available recordings, or even archive recordings of earlier broadcasts, this ceases to be a dropping in on a 'normal / regular' act of worship.

Well said, Roger.

[subcontrabass]

...and if I recall correctly, twice a week, Wednesday and Friday.

No, that was later when the programme had transferred to Radio 3. The Friday broadcasrs were always pre-recorded, partly to encourage more adventurous repertoire.

[ardcarp]

Yes, you're right. How about settling for that arrangement now...live on Weds and recorded (NOT the same service) on Friday?

[subcontrabass]

Yes, you're right. How about settling for that arrangement now...live on Weds and recorded (NOT the same service) on Friday?

In terms of costing, it would be reasonable economical if they followed the previous practice. My late mother was, for a time, robe-mistress for a cathedral choir. She told me that the recording for a future (i.e. several months ahead) Friday broadcast was done alongside a live Wednesday broadcast.

[mw963]

Well done Roger! Couldn't agree more.

[DracoM]

In terms of costing, it would be reasonable economical if they followed the previous practice. My late mother was, for a time, robe-mistress for a cathedral choir. She told me that the recording for a future (i.e. several months ahead) Friday broadcast was done alongside a live Wednesday broadcast.

Yes, I can confirm that that happened back when in a local foundation.

[mw963]

Yes, you're right. How about settling for that arrangement now...live on Weds and recorded (NOT the same service) on Friday?

And it shouldn't be beyond their wit at some venues to kill two birds with one stone, ie do a live and a recording with the same crew, saving the recording for a few months for later broadcast. OK, quite pressured for the musical team, but do-able I would have thought, particularly if, at those cathedrals with both choirs, the boys did one and the girls the other. There was a time when Sunday Worship was occasionally done from the same venue as the previous Wednesday's Choral Evensong methinks....?

[DracoM]

Still is from time to time.

[jonfan]

I just wonder if 'dropping in' on the Sunday repeat of a live broadcast from the previous Wednesday is somehow less fullfilling for the listener because it's not live. Not for me it isn't.
The view on these boards that things were better in the past I strongly disagree with and Alan Davey should be rightly proud of the service he oversees. All the BBC orchestras, and BBC Chorus, have never been finer; the New Generation Artist scheme brings on exciting new players and the presenters show enthusiam for the music they are presenting, in contrast to the gloomy detatchment of past effrorts.

[mw963]

Well each to their own jonfan, but I'm afraid your view of the "old" Radio 3 is very different to mine, and I would describe the current effort as flakey, superficial, and cheap. As a matter of interest (and this is not a loaded question, just out of interest, and I hope you don't mind my asking), when did you start listening to Radio 3? I'm just trying to gauge your "era" as it were...... Please don't answer if you'd rather not....

[jonfan]

Well each to their own jonfan, but I'm afraid your view of the "old" Radio 3 is very different to mine, and I would describe the current effort as flakey, superficial, and cheap. As a matter of interest (and this is not a loaded question, just out of interest, and I hope you don't mind my asking), when did you start listening to Radio 3? I'm just trying to gauge your "era" as it were...... Please don't answer if you'd rather not....

Well I’m from the era of the Third Programme when it started each day about 7pm I think. The Home Service carried most classical music. When the Schools’ morning service had finished about 9.30 there was usually a chamber or solo recital. The standard of the in-house orchestras was rough in the extreme and the announcers read what was in front of them like automatons. Give me Tom Service any day. The exceptions I remember were Antony Hopkins, Alec Robertson and Hans Keller. Come on you must admit standards are much higher now and BBC musicians can stand comparison with the best in the world.

[ardcarp]

I wonder if we've wandered off the point slightly? I suppose it's what we do on here.