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

[Roger Judd]

You are quite right, Ardcarp ... the Atkins version was indeed the mainstay, certainly in the UK, until George Guest's version came along complete with the Latin text, and a very regimented way with the recitations - my copy is dated 1976. As it says in the preface, Guest based his edition on Charles Burney (who allegedly acquired a copy direct from Mozart in 1770), Pietro Alfieri (who, in 1840 published a detailed account of the abbellimenti), and Ivor Atkins (used by David Willcocks in the famous King's College recording, with Roy Goodman).
Incidentally, there was a glorious performance of the piece at Mass in Hereford Cathedral on Ash Wednesday - the top boy nailed every iteration perfectly, and climbed down under most impressive control.
RJ

[Vox Humana]

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.

That's the version used in the famous King's, Cambridge recording, isn't it? I feel sure that it was this performance that made the piece so universally well known. Atkins simply copied the Burney/Rockstro notes from 'Grove' and set them to the English text. An NCO blog crediting him with the concoction of this version is incorrect (it had appeared in the first edition of 'Grove' in 1880), although I have a feeling that Atkins's version might have been the first octavo publication for choirs.

Edit: Bit of a cross-post with Roger there. Sorry.

[ardcarp]

...and people may be sniffy about the Atkins version as used by Kings' and massively elsewhere, but it was/is a big hit among a wide public. I remember someone (imagine broad Yorkshire accent) saying, "Ooh I just luv that Misery Allegro".

[Petrushka]

...and people may be sniffy about the Atkins version as used by Kings' and massively elsewhere, but it was/is a big hit among a wide public. I remember someone (imagine broad Yorkshire accent) saying, "Ooh I just luv that Misery Allegro".

I remember back in 1967 when I and some of my fellow boy parish church choristers went round to visit another of our number and listened awe-struck to Roy Goodman in the KCC/Willcocks recording on a 45rpm EP disc. Happy days.

[omega consort]

...and people may be sniffy about the Atkins version as used by Kings' and massively elsewhere, but it was/is a big hit among a wide public. I remember someone (imagine broad Yorkshire accent) saying, "Ooh I just luv that Misery Allegro".

Almost embarrassed to say, but this is the version we use at my church. It's a little "clunky" in terms of the English fitting the underlay but it works ok other than that!

[Vox Humana]

Given the concocted nature of the Burney-Rockstro version, there's no particular reason to prefer the Latin text over the English.

[Resurgam]

(They have a back row full of professional soloists.) ....

The veritable Manchester City of back rows. I understand they are the best paid men in London. No Arab sheik providing the cash but the legal profession's riches must be substantial!!

McMillan not for me but judging by the boys' sound, which I liked, I think they might have struggled with the Allegri top Cs. Probably not a piece for the Temple acoustic anyway - not sure.

I adore the Greene anthem - beautifully sung.

I would have preferred a Lenten hymn with a suitably solemn Welsh tune rather than the specially written piece they 'performed'.

All the thees and thous, beginneths and endeths , prayers and Litany absolutely lovelyl - right up my street.

And, of course, boys and men live for a change. Honestly, why would any cathedral/chapel with a fine all male choir like this want to broadcast a mixed choir including, more often than not, much older girls/ young women when there is really no need to do so. Give the girls their own slot but don't mix the two.

[ardcarp]

judging by the boys' sound, which I liked, I think they might have struggled with the Allegri top Cs. Probably not a piece for the Temple acoustic anyway - not sure.

They did it live on air on Ash Weds last year (or was it the year before?)

All the thees and thous, beginneths and endeths , prayers and Litany absolutely lovelyl - right up my street.

Yes; such a pity hey didn't sing it, eg to the version ascribed to Tallis. In my childhood, it was not uncommon for even the humblest parish church choir to sing it in procession. That would be fun at the Temple, especially in the circular bit....

Agreed a solemn Lenten hymn wouldn't have gone amiss, but that 'extra' anthem was worth the sacrifice!

[Vox Humana]

Well I rather liked the McMillan. Nicely atmospheric with penitential suspensions. Interested to hear the continued influence of Burney-Rockstro in the retention of tone 2:1.

Edit: However, the star of the show for me was the Treseder. Fabulous.

[ardcarp]

However, the star of the show for me was the Treseder. Fabulous.

[PeterboroughDiapason]

They did it live on air on Ash Weds last year (or was it the year before?)

Not last year: http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...d-6-iii-2019-L
Now released on CD

[ardcarp]

Thanks PD. It must have been this:

http://www.templechurch.com/choral-evensong-for-ash-wednesday-3/

or even this:

http://www.templechurch.com/choral-evensong-for-ash-wednesday-live-broadcast/

How time flies when one gets older!

[Pulcinella]

At the risk of treading on Draco's toes, here's a (revised?) listing of the order of service from the BBC website, which includes mention of the Treseder.

Live from the Temple Church, London on Ash Wednesday.

Introit: Salvator mundi (Tallis)
Responses: Tomkins
Psalm 51: Miserere (James MacMillan)
First Lesson: Isaiah 1 vv.10-18
Canticles: Short Service (Weelkes)
Second Lesson: Luke 15 vv.11-32
Anthem: Lord, let me know mine end (Greene)
Prayer Anthem: Come, let us return to the Lord (Gareth Treseder)
Voluntary: Fantasia in C Minor BWV 562 (Bach)

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

We are singing his O virgo splendens, written for the Exon Singers, in our forthcoming concert next month.