CE Manchester Cathedral [L] 11.iii.20

[DracoM]

CE Manchester Cathedral [L] 11.iii.20


Order of Service:


Introit: Geistliches Lied (Brahms)
Responses: Christopher Stokes
Psalms 60, 61 (Hopkins, Hesford)
First Lesson: Job 1 vv.1-22
Canticles: Edington Service (Judith Bingham)
Second Lesson: Luke 21 v.34 – 22 v.6
Anthem: Verleih uns frieden (Mendelssohn)
Hymn: Take up thy cross, the Saviour said (Breslau)


Voluntary: Sonata in A major, Op 65 No 3 (Con moto maestoso) (Mendelssohn)


Geoffrey Woollatt (Sub-Organist)
Christopher Stokes (Organist & Master of the Choristers)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000g3xk

[Alison]

I like live.

[DracoM]

Reminder: today @ 3.30 p.m.

[ardcarp]

I like live.

[DracoM]

[cat]

NCO have just cancelled all evensong services for the remainder of the term. I suspect this may be the last live broadcast for some months.

[jonfan]

NCO have just cancelled all evensong services for the remainder of the term. I suspect this may be the last live broadcast for some months.

Well Wakefield is billed for next week and was mentioned in the closing as definitely happening (hope to be there).
The superb Mendelssohn organ sonata still ringing in my ears way after the service had finished, thanks to the tremendously exciting Stoller organ shown off with superb effect.
Beautifully sung service though not impressed with the Bingham canticles on first hearing.

[DracoM]

Ditto with you on Bingham canticles I'm afraid. Sort of insubstantial. Oh dear.
Confident singing elsewhither, and yes, oh yes, organ in fine voice.
Actually liked the minister's handling of it all too.

[Braunschlag]

I rarely listen to CE but I was interested to hear if my opinion of the Mendelssohn has changed. Great sound, a fine instrument indeed but oh dear, it’s still a work I’d gladly avoid for eternity now. I’ve previously outlined reasons on a much earlier thread and this ordeal only confirmed it - I really can’t see any redeeming features in some very second, even third-rate Victorian twaddle.

[ardcarp]

I suspect future generations might look back on some early 21st century twaddle too!!

Was it just this piece of Mendelssohn you don't like, Braunschweig? I have great respect for Mendelssohn. OK, he pandered to English tastes when he was over here. But he had many fine qualities as a symphonist (Italian) for his chamber music (the octet?) and as a composer of choral music, e.g.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZEfmbGI7jU

He was (as one can hear) a devotee of J.S. Bach, and indeed 'instrumental' in bringing his works to public attention.

[DracoM]

[Braunschlag]

I suspect future generations might look back on some early 21st century twaddle too!!

Was it just this piece of Mendelssohn you don't like, Braunschweig? I have great respect for Mendelssohn. OK, he pandered to English tastes when he was over here. But he had many fine qualities as a symphonist (Italian) for his chamber music (the octet?) and as a composer of choral music, e.g.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZEfmbGI7jU

He was (as one can hear) a devotee of J.S. Bach, and indeed 'instrumental' in bringing his works to public attention.

It’s just the organ Sonatas. They seem to be an afterthought, something indeed written for English tastes I agree. They pale in comparison with his earlier works, particularly the Octet, Piano Trios, Concertos. And No.3 in particular really does nothing for me and I’ve endured it enough times in recitals. To follow an admittedly large scale first movement with that saccharine Andante tranquillity (aptly named,soporific and trite) always puzzled me. Is it a case of organists desperately hunting for worthy repertoire by a respected composer I wonder - most listeners would not recognise many organist composers and I appreciate it’s a specialist world in the organ loft.

[jonfan]

It’s just the organ Sonatas. They seem to be an afterthought, something indeed written for English tastes I agree. They pale in comparison with his earlier works, particularly the Octet, Piano Trios, Concertos. And No.3 in particular really does nothing for me and I’ve endured it enough times in recitals. To follow an admittedly large scale first movement with that saccharine Andante tranquillity (aptly named,soporific and trite) always puzzled me. Is it a case of organists desperately hunting for worthy repertoire by a respected composer I wonder - most listeners would not recognise many organist composers and I appreciate it’s a specialist world in the organ loft.

You will appreciate an apocryphal story that the Dean of St Paul’s paid the organ blowers to go home as Mendelssohn was playing too many pieces after Evensong had finished.

[PeterboroughDiapason]

I think the first movement of Mendelssohn 3 is superb. I once went to a recital where the eminent player completely forgot to play the 2nd movement. He came down at the end of the recital and apologized and said he would play it now. It worked well as a gentle encore.

[Braunschlag]

I’m pleased you enjoyed it - but it’s so superficial.