CE Temple Church, London [L] Wed, 26th Feb 2020

[DracoM]

CE Temple Church, London [L]
Ash Wednesday


Order of Service:


Introit: Salvator mundi (Tallis)
Responses: Tomkins
Psalm 51: Miserere (James MacMillan)
First Lesson: Isaiah 1: 10-18
Canticles: Short Service (Weelkes)
Second Lesson: Luke 15: 11-32
Anthem: Lord, let me know mine end (Greene)

Voluntary: Fantasia in C Minor BWV 562 (Bach)


Charles Andrews (Organist)
Roger Sayer (Director of Music)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000fmt6

[ardcarp]

No Allegri then?

[DracoM]

Nope - how many Ash Weds have we passed since such an omission?
Interestingly, St Thomas Fifth Ave NYC are doing Byrd's Ps 51 and no Allegri either

[subcontrabass]

No Allegri then?

I do not recall ever hearing a version that is close to what Allegri wrote (or intended). Mostly we have had versions based on errors introduced at various times in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

[Triforium]

I do not recall ever hearing a version that is close to what Allegri wrote (or intended). Mostly we have had versions based on errors introduced at various times in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Something along these lines then? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFtmSGpkA2c

[DracoM]

Correction: St T Fifth Ave NYC IS doing Allegri.
As stated here:

WEDNESDAY THE SOLEMN LITURGY OF ASH WEDNESDAY
26 February
12:10 and 5:30 [NY time]

Introit: Exaltabo te Domine - Lassus
Service: Missa Deus genitor alme -Plainsong
Ashing: Miserere mei, Deus -Allegri
Anthems:
Emendemus in melius -Byrd
Versa est in luctum -Lobo[/QUOTE]

[mopsus]

I do not recall ever hearing a version that is close to what Allegri wrote (or intended). Mostly we have had versions based on errors introduced at various times in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

There was a broadcast of a reconstruction a few months ago on the Early Music Show (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009jz4 - no longer available to listen, but maybe it will be repeated at some point).

[cat]

I do not recall ever hearing a version that is close to what Allegri wrote (or intended). Mostly we have had versions based on errors introduced at various times in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

No one knows what he wrote or intended. The earliest source we have is from nine years after his death, containing the two falsobordone for four and five-part choirs, but not the ornamentation that he would have expected to be added.

I think the piece is best regarded for what it now is, with the propitious mistake of inserting Mendelssohn's higher-pitch transcription in the wrong place just part of its history.

[cat]

Something along these lines then? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFtmSGpkA2c

That's an amalgamation with Tommaso Bai's version, and therefore certainly no closer to "the orginal" than anything else.

[jonfan]

A vigorously sung service with a lovely bright top line and confidently sung solos. The MacMillan was new to me, seemed a pig to sing; not moved by it on first hearing - bring back Allegri, all is forgiven.

[cat]

I very much liked parts of the MacMillan but will have to hear it a few more times to see how it all fits together. And yes, my first thought was that they certainly didn't choose it in place of Allegri in order to give the trebles an easier time.

[DracoM]

Twiddly Macmillan - just not my thing.
Back row VG. Excellent musicianship in front row - for me, just thought their sound was.....OK...but so-so.
Thought it was all a bit low on Ash Wednesday spiritual intensity as an order of service.

[ardcarp]

Choir in great shape! Full bodied singing throughout. (They have a back row full of professional soloists.) The trebles were a match for them...almost reminding me of Westminster Cathedral. The highlight for me was the Gareth Treseder O come let us return to the Lord, which I think was specially written for The Temple. Fantastic piece, great performance, a tenor soloist to die for, and a shame it was not on the music list; and the composer's name was mumbled a bit by the presiding minister (the Master?)

Many CE listeners probably like a more blended sound with less decibels, but I think there is room for both approaches, and I take my hat off to The Temple Choir for a stunning service today. Incidentally they've put another one in the can for future broadcast. All done today...must be knackered. Hope they got paid for two.......

[Vox Humana]

I think the piece is best regarded for what it now is, with the propitious mistake of inserting Mendelssohn's higher-pitch transcription in the wrong place just part of its history.

I wouldn't want to be without it - but it really shouldn't be attributed to Allegri, should it? It's miles removed from what he wrote: https://ancientgroove.co.uk/essays/sources.html
It would be better credited to Burney and Rockstro, but I can't see anyone being brave enough to bill it like that and probably I'm the only one pedantic enough to see it as a problem.

[ardcarp]

Has anyone mentioned Ivor Atkins' edition in English? It was surely his (albeit something of a confection) that was widely used in the Anglican Church during the 20th century. I think (speaking from memory) George Guest produced a Latin version, but based on the same dots.