Easter from King’s - again and again... and probably again

[Keraulophone]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0004gm4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01...episodes/guide)

I’ve just switched on the television to see the early evening news and chanced upon this on BBC2. Yes, I know it’s the BBC’s favourite ‘world famous’ collegiate choir, but doesn’t aunty realise that there are other choirs, whether college, cathedral, church or otherwise, just as capable or even more exalted. There’s choir up the road that is regarded by some as the finest of its type anywhere in the world. This year the beeb could I suppose justifiably point to Stephen Cleobury’s retirement as an additional excuse, though last night’s flaccid performance live from King’s chapel perhaps wasn’t such a good idea. Of course, it could be the building that the BBC producers like even more than its resident choir; St John’s chapel isn’t nearly as photogenic. No doubt the new incumbent DoM will get his chance next Easter, and so it will probably go on, with relentless monotony. Please note, this isn’t a criticism of the choir, but of BBC Music’s lack of imagination.

[teamsaint]

Back in the day, the BBC broadcast the Good Friday service live from Salisbury presumaby on BBC1 .

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/bbcone/london/1973-04-20

In between Laurel and Hardy and Grandstand.

( if anybody did happen to have a video of that , incidentally.......)

[Y Mab Afradlon]

I remember this from 1980

https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f5168967fef34f2fad878f8c2e4a03bf

A stunning service from Christ Church Cathedral Oxford under Simon Preston featuring (who I later found out to be) Neil McKenzie as the evangelist in the Victoria St John Passion.

Again if any one has a copy of this please donate it to the Archive of Church Music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoJLDKYk8C9b0_32eNHJf0w

[mopsus]

They also broadcast an evening concert on Radio 3 from the 'Easter at King's' mini-festival, though not involving the chapel choir: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00048dg

[DracoM]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0004gm4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01...episodes/guide)

I’ve just switched on the television to see the early evening news and chanced upon this on BBC2. Yes, I know it’s the BBC’s favourite ‘world famous’ collegiate choir, but doesn’t aunty realise that there are other choirs, whether college, cathedral, church or otherwise, just as capable or even more exalted. There’s choir up the road that is regarded by some as the finest of its type anywhere in the world. This year the beeb could I suppose justifiably point to Stephen Cleobury’s retirement as an additional excuse, though last night’s flaccid performance live from King’s chapel perhaps wasn’t such a good idea. Of course, it could be the building that the BBC producers like even more than its resident choir; St John’s chapel isn’t nearly as photogenic. No doubt the new incumbent DoM will get his chance next Easter, and so it will probably go on, with relentless monotony. Please note, this isn’t a criticism of the choir, but of BBC Music’s lack of imagination.

Yes, lazy programming, lacking imagination. Eheu!

[Miles Coverdale]

I’ve just switched on the television to see the early evening news and chanced upon this on BBC2. Yes, I know it’s the BBC’s favourite ‘world famous’ collegiate choir, but doesn’t aunty realise that there are other choirs, whether college, cathedral, church or otherwise, just as capable or even more exalted.

I suspect the BBC is well aware of that, but nevertheless King's is one of the names most widely recognised both in this country and abroad. It's like asking someone from another country to name an English football team. They're far more likely to say Manchester United than Accrington Stanley.

[Nick Armstrong]

I suppose another factor is that it's cost-effective () - they set up at considerable cost (equipment, personel, etc) in December, for the Christmas programme, so I guess the bean-counters like that they get two 'shows' for the price of one, hence recording the Easter programme back-to-back.

Haven't watched the Easter programme yet - for this afternoon, I think.

[Cockney Sparrow]

I listened to the Verdi Requiem (Friday evening) on a DAB radio at motorway speeds in the car. I thought it was a pretty good rendition with both the Philharmonia Chorus and the BBC CO in full tilt and, I surmise, enjoying themselves. One exception may be the Soprano (who apparently was a late substitution for an ill Ailish Tynan) - who seemed to have quite a wide vibrato (or, to my mind "beat in the voice").
I'm intending to listen to it again, in better (much better) circumstances.

I did wonder - do they turn the seating around for such concerts, and how would it sound in that building - overpowering?

[Nick Armstrong]

I did wonder - do they turn the seating around for such concerts, and how would it sound in that building - overpowering?

These concerts take place in front of the Organ facing west, with the main body of the Chapel having conventional seating (and seats in the choir, between the organ and the altar, all being unsighted). Here's a rehearsal photo showing the format:



I went to a Verdi Requiem in the Chapel last year. I was sitting about two-thirds back in the main seating - the sound was very good, clear with very full climaxes.

[Miles Coverdale]

I suppose another factor is that it's cost-effective () - they set up at considerable cost (equipment, personel, etc) in December, for the Christmas programme, so I guess the bean-counters like that they get two 'shows' for the price of one, hence recording the Easter programme back-to-back.

I remember doing exactly that some years ago with Songs of Praise.

Cost is almost always a factor with public service broadcasting. I understand that this is also happening with Radio 3 Choral Evensong: do one live, then record another the next day for later broadcast.

[teamsaint]

I remember doing exactly that some years ago with Songs of Praise.

Cost is almost always a factor with public service broadcasting. I understand that this also happening with Radio 3 Choral Evensong: do one live, then record another the next day for later broadcast.

I'm sure they used to do them in pairs a week ( ?) apart, although I can't see much cost saving in that ?

[teamsaint]

I suspect the BBC is well aware of that, but nevertheless King's is one of the names most widely recognised both in this country and abroad. It's like asking someone from another country to name an English football team. They're far more likely to say Manchester United than Accrington Stanley.

But there are lots of world famous cathedrals etc . Comparing KCC to , say Winchester or Salisbury isn't like comparing Man Utd and ASFC.

I wonder if Kings give the BBC some favourable terms to help raise profile, generate endowments etc. ( Not meant as a criticism,BTW).

[DracoM]

Listening figures?
Do the Beeb reckon that if you put a crack team on from any other foundation, the largely uninformed audience are likely to say 'Who? I mean, who are they?'
AND
thus not listen....figures decline??

[mopsus]

I'm sure they used to do them in pairs a week ( ?) apart, although I can't see much cost saving in that ?

In the 1980s when there used to be two broadcasts a week, the Wednesday one was usually live, and the Friday one a recording made around the same time as a live broadcast from the same place.

[Miles Coverdale]

I'm sure they used to do them in pairs a week ( ?) apart, although I can't see much cost saving in that ?

One lot of transport costs, not two. One set-up and take-down of equipment etc Quite a significant saving, I'd have thought.