CE Norwich Cathedral Wed, 18th April 2018 [L]

[bach736]

Getting a little side-tracked here, aren't we, guys?
Could we put the politics of hospital and music foundation fund raising on hold and return to the matter in hand - namely, an actual live broadcast on CE and a brilliant service from Norwich.
It's not every Wednesday we're offered a 17' cantata and the Norwich boys - only just back from holiday - sang their hearts out.

[oddoneout]

I know the Leighton Responses, but he is not a favourite of mine and I'm not big Britten fan either so it is to the credit of the Norwich forces that I found this a rewarding CE.

[DracoM]

Treble soloist well up to the task in the Britten.

[Finzi4ever]

Treble soloist well up to the task in the Britten.

as were the three gentlemen too.

[Pulcinella]

Reading the CD liner notes for the newly arrived (but s/h) Leighton Cathedral Music CD (St Paul's; Hyperion), I discovered that the Second Service bears the dedication 'In Memoriam Brian Runnett'. Runnett was organist and master of the choristers at Norwich (he was tragically killed in a car accident), so this choice of setting seems particularly apt.

[ardcarp]

Indeed. I have another memory of Brian Runnett. Britten was about to broadcast the Christmas Oratorio live from Norwich (I think) when the MU went on strike. (Ah, those were the days.) So the broadcast went ahead with no orchestra but with Runnett on the organ and Philip Ledger on he harpsichord..neither of whom presumably were MU members.

[DracoM]

Brian Runnett was the much missed organist on a number of John's recordings I cherish.