CE Hereford Cathedral Wed, Feb 6th 2019 [L]

[Y Mab Afradlon]

Their glowing reputation suggests I may be in for a real treat, and the reviews on here are very encouraging. (And it's sometimes nice to remind oneself of sounds which are very different from one's own house style, even though there's a very good reason why it isn't like that here.) Good for Hereford!

I think that most of us on here comment very positively about each broadcast and having some insight from a creditable source close to the foundation is always welcome.

[Vox Humana]

Yes, a really enjoyable Evensong. Taverner a bit breathless for my taste, but very secure. Beautifully fluent psalm chanting. No mannerisms there! And a very convincing performance of the Fayrfax. You have to admire any choir that can pull off these florid pre-Reformation pieces. The singers need rock-solid rhythm and a firm grasp of the notes for the music to hold together properly.

[Lizzie]

Strictly speaking I never intend to champion as such, merely to inform and to be on hand to clarify and provide courteous corrections as and when necessary, as there are not infrequently a number of ingrained but unconscious misconceptions when it comes to that place... and I happen to be ideally placed to know very well what is going on there from day to day! (But not in any leadership capacity, I hasten to add... I'm just a larynx on legs!)

If I understand correctly, the wonderful Lizzie is temporarily out of the country, and having a wonderful time, but I always enjoy reading her enthusiastic reports of goings-on in Winchester, another idyllic place where I have spent plenty of time and where the music set-up is phenomenally good. (I only depped in the Cathedral a couple of times when I was living there but it was thrilling.) Lizzie is very much part of the furniture there, a true stalwart and a tireless supporter of all elements of the Cathedral's musical scene. We have a fair few people like that over here too, and such people are the lifeblood of every cathedral. We salute them!

I'm really looking forward to listening to the Hereford broadcast now. Their glowing reputation suggests I may be in for a real treat, and the reviews on here are very encouraging. (And it's sometimes nice to remind oneself of sounds which are very different from one's own house style, even though there's a very good reason why it isn't like that here.) Good for Hereford!

Q is absolutely right. I’m presently freezing my bits and pieces off in the High Arctic, so didn’t manage to hear Ely or Hereford. I can listen on a worldwide radio app but, I was listening to a lecture about something cold, and snowbound yesterday! Sorry! Still, I’m sitting here watching the Lofoten Islands glide past, to the sound of Sibelius - Yes, Yes, I know he was Finnish but, it fits the mood! Ha det! Lizzie

[mopsus]

For years I have been impressed with the way the various elements of the service, spoken and sung, flow together smoothly at Hereford. In this service I was struck how the spoken prayers responded to the text of the anthem, even though that text is obscure and indeed contrived!

Are the non-standard versicles and responses pertaining to the Queen also by Ayleward? I assume so.

[Miles Coverdale]

Are the non-standard versicles and responses pertaining to the Queen also by Ayleward? I assume so.

Adapted from Ayleward, yes.

[Wolsey]

Are the non-standard versicles and responses pertaining to the Queen also by Ayleward? I assume so.

The 'Accession responses' are known as the Suffrages and can be found in BCP. Foundations often adapt them from precomposed versicles and responses.

[mopsus]

I'm still intrigued by the 'Ayleward' Suffrages, as I've sung Ayleward many times and don't recognise the music for some of them. I've also come across a version of the Suffrage texts (indeed we had it ourselves) in the marriage service.

[Miles Coverdale]

‘Who putteth her trust in thee’ is an abbreviated version of ‘And mercifully hear us …’, omitting the second half of the first bar.

‘And evermore mightily defend her’ is the most ‘independent’ one, but that little figure in the top part at ‘but only thou, O God’ is quoted twice but differently harmonised each time.

‘From the face of her enemies’ combines elements of ‘And grant us thy salvation’ and ‘And mercifully hear us …’

‘And let our cry come unto thee’ is ‘And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.’

I didn't write these, by the way.