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

[jonfan]

Very envious Caliban, wish I could have been there for the start of what promises to be a rich new era.
You worry too much Draco. Intense hard work to prepare three big broadcasts in what I presume was a tight schedule. It makes financial sense to record the Easter TV programme now with all the lighting, cameras, etc in place. After that for the rest of the year the choir is free from BBC commitments, though hopefully a CE is a possibility. There’s strong presence now from other choirs via webcasts, Trinity Cambridge for example is superb, so the international field is not just King’s.

[Vox Humana]

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...

In that case, I can't wait!

On pace, I agree. As I suggested earlier, it seemed to me that DH was using the acoustic as an accompanimental instrument in the same way that Willcocks used to do. Perhaps I'm being over-fanciful, but that was the effect and either way his approach showed great sensitivity and musicianship. I moan so regularly about skippy speeds and the shallow interpretations they engender that I may sound like a stuck LP, but these services showed how much deeper feelings can be touched when allowed the time.

[Petrushka]

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...

Where is the 'green with envy' emoticon when you really, really need it!

Agree with what you say and especially on the fearless solo singing. This was more evident on the TV version as you had the visuals to help. The choirboy who performed the solo in Cleobury's arrangement of Away in a Manger, done 'in memoriam', could not have had more pressure upon his young shoulders but it was a very moving moment, carried out superbly, straight to camera, with no trace of nerves whatever.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

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

Yes - one of the best descants of all time, I think...

But the Ledger descant for Once in Royal would have been REALLY good (though apologies for saying this nearly every year).

[jonfan]

But the Ledger descant for Once in Royal would have been REALLY good (though apologies for saying this nearly every year).

Keep saying it; one year?

[ocarina]

At risk of scorn, I would like to state that I think Cleobury’s Once in Royal is terrific. An unchanging tradition is a dying one as has been said before. I particularly like the movement at the end of 2nd and 4th lines where there is conventionally a minim in tune and descant; I think it very effective how the descant wraps us around to the next line.

[Munsterrrr]

Hi all ! Just a quick reply regarding the Messiaen debate, I'm afraid it's nothing to do with the BBC, as Dieu Parmi Nous was performed as the voluntary for the Christmas Day Eucharist instead. Hope that clears any confusion up! It's probably worth saying that although the BBC have the final say on music, especially on what goes into the final cut of TV etc, lengthy discussions do go into what music is done, and I doubt (and I can pretty much say for a fact) that the organ scholar was banned from playing a piece of music which was done only 3 years ago.

Otherwise, glad to see so many positive and encouraging comments! Hope you're all looking forward to Easter :)

[Nick Armstrong]

Hi all ! Just a quick reply regarding the Messiaen debate, I'm afraid it's nothing to do with the BBC, as Dieu Parmi Nous was performed as the voluntary for the Christmas Day Eucharist instead. Hope that clears any confusion up! It's probably worth saying that although the BBC have the final say on music, especially on what goes into the final cut of TV etc, lengthy discussions do go into what music is done, and I doubt (and I can pretty much say for a fact) that the organ scholar was banned from playing a piece of music which was done only 3 years ago.

Otherwise, glad to see so many positive and encouraging comments! Hope you're all looking forward to Easter :)

[Cockney Sparrow]

My apology if this repeats information already provided, but I was interested whether a piece was included in the 2010 Festival, and came across this web page:

https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/chapel/a-festival-of-nine-lessons-and-carols/archive

Which gives download links for the orders of service from 2000, and details of commissioned carols since 2007.