Chapel of King's College, Cambridge [R] tx Dec 25th 2019

[mopsus]

‘Dieu parmi nous’ was the second voluntary in 2013.

[DracoM]

So why not this year as well?
No surprise to you?

[ardcarp]

We had an almost total Ledger descant Advent and Christmas; recommend his ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’ as the most bouncy and joyful and done with an economy of notes.

I also love Andrew Carter's version of O come O come Emmanuel. A truly stirring last verse!

We put down all the G Major Descants to F

Sung at the same time as the tune in G?

[Alison]

Must say I like Daniel’s demeanour and unshowy conducting style.

The organist seems to belong to that same Venn diagram.

[mw963]

Sung at the same time as the tune in G?

Quite the most brilliant Christmas remark I've seen this year, thank you for a real giggle there!

[Vile Consort]

‘Dieu parmi nous’ was the second voluntary in 2013.

I seem to remember it being the second voluntary for years on end - possibly in the 70's, 80's and 90's.

[Petrushka]

I seem to remember it being the second voluntary for years on end - possibly in the 70's, 80's and 90's.

It was last year, too.

[Vox Humana]

It was last year, too.

Which rather begs the question whether it was really banned this year and, if so, by whom.

[jonfan]

Which rather begs the question whether it was really banned this year and, if so, by whom.

This is getting a bit ridiculous isn’t it, with all these conspiracy theories worthy of MI5? Philip Billson was the producer, who is unlikely to ban anything the college wanted to perform. Maybe the DOM wanted to make changes where he could in a format that is quite fixed, new broom and all that. At least the producer got 2 hours for the Christmas Day repeat which allowed us to hear both voluntaries gloriously played (and the Vierne talked over by the congregation, which is par in my experience! At least he got a round of applause as appeasement!).
Anyone notice Lord Hall at the TV showing? In congregation shots he was shown staring ahead, resolutely refusing to sing. Maybe that should be more concerning.

[DracoM]

In terms of KCC's / BBC's colossal global pitch for the 9 Lessons 'product' and its variants engineered each year, I am not that sure how loopy such speculation is. Timings alone must be a significant factor?

[Nevilevelis]

This is getting a bit ridiculous isn’t it, with all these conspiracy theories worthy of MI5? Philip Billson was the producer, who is unlikely to ban anything the college wanted to perform. Maybe the DOM wanted to make changes where he could in a format that is quite fixed, new broom and all that. At least the producer got 2 hours for the Christmas Day repeat which allowed us to hear both voluntaries gloriously played (and the Vierne talked over by the congregation, which is par in my experience! At least he got a round of applause as appeasement!).
Anyone notice Lord Hall at the TV showing? In congregation shots he was shown staring ahead, resolutely refusing to sing. Maybe that should be more concerning.

Quite. The voice of reason unheeded, sadly. Still, it wouldn't be Christmas on the blessed forum if at least one person wasn't banging on about this sort of thing. What a boring agenda.

This was a beautifully balanced and constructed programme which, knowing him, has Daniel Hyde's intelligence and musical taste all over it. A minted start to his tenure.

NVV

[jonfan]

This was a beautifully balanced and constructed programme which, knowing him, has Daniel Hyde's intelligence and musical taste all over it. A minted start to his tenure.

[Wolsey]

In terms of KCC's / BBC's colossal global pitch for the 9 Lessons 'product' and its variants engineered each year, I am not that sure how loopy such speculation is. Timings alone must be a significant factor?

I'm afraid I don't follow how timings can be a significant factor in the alleged vetoing of Dieu parmi nous. It was last played in 2016 by Richard Gowers, and its performance just three years ago may well be a valid reason for ‘resting’ it. It is inconceivable that it has been “poo-pooed” on musical grounds: I remember it being played by John Butt in 1981, and there was a brief period of commissioned second voluntaries just over ten years ago. Remember Birtwistle's carol The Gleam (2003)...?

For over fifty years, the live worldwide relay has lasted 90 minutes and concluded with In dulci jubilo. The BBC itself has always made it clear over these many decades that its Christmas Day repeat includes the second voluntary in its entirety, and the service booklet includes the rubric: Please do not talk during the second organ voluntary, which is being recorded for broadcast on Christmas Day. With the advent of online listening, listeners worldwide can now hear the second voluntary as well by selecting the Christmas Day repeat.

[Nick Armstrong]

This was a beautifully balanced and constructed programme which, knowing him, has Daniel Hyde's intelligence and musical taste all over it. A minted start to his tenure.

Couldn’t agree more. I was fortunate enough to be present for both the Christmas Eve Ceremony and the recording of the BBC2 carols a couple of weeks earlier, each time seated quite near to the choir.

What also struck me was the way DH already manages to pace and balance pieces to enable the interweaving of inner parts to emerge in a way I’ve never heard before. Also the general blend of voices (the tenors especially, as someone commented above), and some fearless solo singing. Very impressive and moving.

Incidentally, I was also at the taping of the Easter BBC2 programme, and if anything enjoyed it most of all. A treat in store for Spring...

[DracoM]

As can be seen from Caliban's posting, the 'KCC package' is huge for the BBC, and is not by any means just a 'Christmas' thing. That choir is recorded, televised, globally broadcast in all manner of forms more than almost any other men and boys choir. A reputation earned and cherished.

BUT at what point does such a college choir become a multi-dimensional 'property'?

Or is there little or no 'negotiation' between broadcast organisations and the DoM / College on content? Is it all up to the DoM on what is deemed suitable - no argument?

Hmm.