CE: Queen's Free Chapel of St George, Windsor Castle Wed, Feb 7th 2018

[DracoM]

CE: Queen's Free Chapel of St George, Windsor Castle
Wed, Feb 7th

First broadcast in 1988

Order of Service:


Introit: O hearken Thou (Elgar)
Responses: Rose
Psalms 134, 135 (Steggall, Garrett)
First Lesson: Exodus 19b: 1-11
Office Hymn: Rejoice, O land, in God thy might
Canticles: Parry in D
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2: 1-10
Anthem: I was glad (Parry)

Organ Voluntary: Marche héroïque (Brewer)

Roger Judd (Organist)
Christopher Robinson (Director of Music)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09qdn5v

[Finzi4ever]

something from the Golden Age of St George's!

[Keraulophone]

O Hearken Thou is a real gem, composed for the Coronation of King George V in 1911, first heard (in its original orchestral version) while the king took communion. I have no idea why this little miracle of a piece is so rarely seen on church music lists; I have persuaded the powers that be to include it on ours just three times in thirty years. I can't put it better than Lewis Foreman, who writes: 'Elgar’s intense mood encompassing a rich choral sound took advantage of the huge acoustic to underline the fervent but essentially private dedication of the moment.' Christopher Robinson must surely agree, for he included it on his Elgar LP from Worcester Cathedral in 1969 and also in his series for Naxos from SJC in 2004.

[mopsus]

I think it comes round quite often as an introit on evensong broadcasts, but like you I haven’t had much success in getting it on music lists, and have never sung it.

[Finzi4ever]

Much the same line-up, but Roger will put me right, as on the iconic Hyperion Parry CD released the previous year, with tremendous soloists and performances by all. Ah, happy days!

[mw963]

The Second Lesson's reader put me in mind of Ronnie Barker for some reason...

FWIW I've turned up the treble slightly on my system, which has increased my appreciation of this archive.... (I just wonder if this was a good off-air recording, there was a thump near the end of the Mag that sounded a bit like the sort of thing one got on FM, I'm probably completely wrong).

[Finzi4ever]

Despite the dry acoustic, the blend was still excellent, and the boys had a very warm and rich timbre, don'tcha think?

[jonfan]

Thoroughly enjoying this service with spirited, muscular singing; the boys scaling the heights of the Parry with aplomb. Great organ sound with colourful registrations throughout with floor shaking bass adding to the excitement. Good to have Oxford Psalter pointing in the psalms, even the Gloria.

[mw963]

Oh absolutely. I'm in seventh heaven. Just bracing myself for Mr Judd's Tour de Force coming up....

[BasilHarwood]

Funny that no one is moaning that it's not live..............

[mw963]

Not really. A good archive like that is really good to hear again. It's the repeats that are picked for their "oddity" rather than their quality that riled me. We seemed to have a whole series of them last year, and in the main they were disappointing. Windsor with that dream-team I'd be happy to have every day.

[DracoM]

<< Funny that no one is moaning that it's not live.............. >>

But surely there is a real issue / principle at stake here: there is no doubt that the number of 'live' as opposed to 'recorded live' services has reduced of late, and ominously looks like a trend that is to continue. Money etc etc etc...............

Now, of course, there is a fabulous BBC archive of fine music and singing / organ playing etc from cathedrals and colleges, but the stimulus of live broadcasting is much appreciated by many DoMs, their choirs and their foundations, serves to do much to remind communities local and national and international that one the finest traditions of music making is still in exuberant health.

Besides, in many / most instances, it is the YOUNG who are showcased - and given where we are / are not in terms of the national music-in-schools debate, many would think that a good thing to perpetuate and highlight.

And that is before we get to any religious issue at stake.

[oddoneout]

Funny that no one is moaning that it's not live..............

No, but I will moan(as I have done before) that it means Sunday will be a repeat of a repeat. If the archive is going to be used instead of live services then I can see no good reason for sticking with the usual set-up of live on Wednesday repeated on Sunday. Why not pull out another(ie different) archive one for Sunday?

[ardcarp]

Well we've had a couple of 'lives' so we mustn't be greedy. I don't mind the occasional archive, and I enjoyed this one. Interesting variation in the first part of Rose responses. Any reason for this? (Roger?)

Anyway, live from NCO next week. Is it really Ash Wednesday? I've only just recovered from Christmas. .

[DracoM]

AAMOI, can anyone explain why the BBC has broken with the 'traditional' Ash Wednesday Service from St John's?

PS: will post Ash Wednesday Order of Service over the weekend.