CE Guildford Cathedral April 25th 2018 [L]

[DracoM]

Every drainage pipe in the kitchen has had to be ripped out - blockages / silting / failed pipes in listed building.
If you can hear me over the drilling.
.............and then there's the cost...................aaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhh!!

[chitreb]

Extraordinary that no one has commented on this service, preferring an Elgar-bash in some cases. I do so often wonder about how this forum functions in practice, and what motivates some of the contributors.

Missed the introit and most of the psalms, but got my beloved Bairstow (I have said for years that I shall have his Nunc at my funeral!). Then got called away, but listened to the rest on iplayer. I must say that the Elgar didn't actually really "do it" for me, I'll give it another try but maybe it isn't quite his best.

But I enjoyed the singing and the service, and it's a pity that Guildford's successful broadcast has passed with no comment here. I at least can try and rectify that. Well done!

I haven't listened yet and may or may not comment depending on how the spirit moves me. I too am suffering from builders (bathroom being replaced) but hope to listen when things quieten down next week.

I see that although there are only a few posts there are over 800 views listed on the "front" page (presumably not all by the same handful of people!).

[mw963]

I suppose my remark about lack of comments was driven by the fact that - although we are constantly told by a few illumnati on here that Organists and Choirmasters/mistresses don't look at this site, and moreover take even less notice of it - it seemed a little sad that a fine and enjoyable effort had not been remarked on.

But you're right, in that spirit I didn't comment on last week's broadcast, because although from what I heard of it I thought the singing was red-hot, for me it was THE Choral Evensong From Hell musically, and I didn't want my well-known negativity in that area to become a topic of conversation. One comments - of course - as and when one has something useful to say.....

At lunchtime I heard that Britain's growth figures were disappointing for the first quarter. With you lot all doing plumbing works now, I'm expecting next quarter's to rebound!

[DracoM]

Ah, well, the Hosts KNOW parents / choristers / DoMs / Organists DO look on here! We do get messages!! Oh yes..............!!

[oddoneout]

I suppose my remark about lack of comments was driven by the fact that - although we are constantly told by a few illumnati on here that Organists and Choirmasters/mistresses don't look at this site, and moreover take even less notice of it - it seemed a little sad that a fine and enjoyable effort had not been remarked on.

But you're right, in that spirit I didn't comment on last week's broadcast, because although from what I heard of it I thought the singing was red-hot, for me it was THE Choral Evensong From Hell musically, and I didn't want my well-known negativity in that area to become a topic of conversation. One comments - of course - as and when one has something useful to say.....

At lunchtime I heard that Britain's growth figures were disappointing for the first quarter. With you lot all doing plumbing works now, I'm expecting next quarter's to rebound!

I listen most Wednesdays but don't feel the need to comment each week, partly because I don't necessarily feel I know enough to volunteer opinion but also sometimes for the reason you give, that I can recognise a good performance but don't like the music.
Yes it's good to read positive comments, but the absence of negative comments can, I would suggest, be taken as meaning that a satisfactory job was done?

[DracoM]

Clever balance!!

[ardcarp]

I listen most Wednesdays but don't feel the need to comment each week...........
Yes it's good to read positive comments, but the absence of negative comments can, I would suggest, be taken as meaning that a satisfactory job was done?

A lot of common sense there oddoneout. It's tricky commenting on CEs, especially when young people are involved. And indeed, absence of comment can definitely mean 'job well done'. I don't think people should hold back from opinions about the music though. If you hate Elgar and Leighton (presumably for different reasons!) it's perfectly reasonable and honest to say so. I don't like Bairstow in D very much largely because I've sung g it to death, but I'm sure lots of people love it.

Vive la difference.

[oddoneout]

A lot of common sense there oddoneout. It's tricky commenting on CEs, especially when young people are involved. And indeed, absence of comment can definitely mean 'job well done'. I don't think people should hold back from opinions about the music though. If you hate Elgar and Leighton (presumably for different reasons!) it's perfectly reasonable and honest to say so. I don't like Bairstow in D very much largely because I've sung g it to death, but I'm sure lots of people love it.

Vive la difference.

I still get my grandmother's maxim running through my head 'If you can't say anything positive don't say anything at all'. I know there are all sorts of flaws with it, but if nothing else it can be a useful way to pause before saying/writing, and a chance to rephrase - possibly as constructive criticism rather than kneejerk 'I don't like it' which in the wider world these days seems increasingly to be synonymous with/followed by 'it's rubbish'. Yes I know that has always been with us but the ubiquity of social media and the resultant blanket herd mentality rather than individual opinion seems to me to make it worse now.
At least on a platform such as this there is likely to be some sort of reason given for a dislike!

[mw963]

My mother's school's maxim on the subject was to run all prospective utterances through the filters "Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary?" I'm not sure anyone would say anything were this to be applied with rigour.

Having - I readily admit - strong tastes when it comes to certain composers, I felt it necessary to start the ball rolling here with Guildford, precisely because I had enjoyed the broadcast and had kind things to say about it.....

[ardcarp]

My mother's schools maxim on the subject was to run all prospective utterances through the filters "Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary?" I'm not sure anyone would say anything were this to be applied with rigour.

Having - I readily admit - strong tastes when it comes to certain composers, I felt it necessary to start the ball rolling here with Guildford, precisely because I had enjoyed the broadcast and had kind things to say about it.....

That's what the Forum's for.

Just one thing. Those who have been lay clerks (or still are) can get a bit...how shall I put it?....bored by the same old repertoire coming round again and again. This applies especially (in my case) to the early to mid-20th century organist/composer stuff. There is such a lot of wonderful music out there which needs airing. A choir with children on the top line does need to have a 'core repertoire' which can be wheeled out, but my view is that it doesn't all need to be Dyson, Darke, Brewer, Bairstow and the like. So I always enjoy hearing a CE with something a little more challenging or at least out-of-the-ordinary on the menu.

[DracoM]

That's what the Forum's for.

Just one thing. Those who have been lay clerks (or still are) can get a bit...how shall I put it?....bored by the same old repertoire coming round again and again. This applies especially (in my case) to the early to mid-20th century organist/composer stuff. There is such a lot of wonderful music out there which needs airing. A choir with children on the top line does need to have a 'core repertoire' which can be wheeled out, but my view is that it doesn't all need to be Dyson, Darke, Brewer, Bairstow and the like. So I always enjoy hearing a CE with something a little more challenging or at least out-of-the-ordinary on the menu.

Oh yes, yes, yes!

[mw963]

That's what the Forum's for.

Just one thing. Those who have been lay clerks (or still are) can get a bit...how shall I put it?....bored by the same old repertoire coming round again and again. This applies especially (in my case) to the early to mid-20th century organist/composer stuff. There is such a lot of wonderful music out there which needs airing. A choir with children on the top line does need to have a 'core repertoire' which can be wheeled out, but my view is that it doesn't all need to be Dyson, Darke, Brewer, Bairstow and the like. So I always enjoy hearing a CE with something a little more challenging or at least out-of-the-ordinary on the menu.

I take your point ardcarp - but I think perhaps you're a little "sensitised" (understandably). Bairstow seems to come round a damned sight less than Leighton. Had you said Stanford in place of Teddy B I might have agreed with you 100%.

[jonfan]

Well anyone from Guildford inspecting this thread may be forgiven if they thought they’d strayed into a Grand Designs renovation project.
A beautifully sung service taken at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to savour the texts and the music. Intonation impeccable. Two quibbles: perhaps more variation in the long psalm by a change of chant somewhere and the altos spoilt the unison lines with the trebles in the anthem with intrusive vibrato. Lovely organ playing and nice atmospheric engineering with a distant balance somewhere half way down the nave. A kind feature for radio listeners was supplying the whole service booklet for download before the service (a good habit for the future?). The organist was right, the hymn was segue after the grace with no announcement.

[DracoM]

Repeat @ 3 p.m. today {Sun] will give everyone a chance to enjoy this CE again.