CE Birmingham Cathedral (A), Wed., 18 March 2020

[Vox Humana]

This archive recording replaces the scheduled live broadcast from Wakefield Cathedral.

An archive recording from Birmingham Cathedral

Introit: Miserere nostri (Tallis)
Responses: Sanders
Psalms 47, 48, 49 (Davy, Lang, Barnby)
First Lesson: Job 36 vv1-12
Office Hymn: Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle (Pange lingua)
Canticles: Blair in B minor
Second Lesson: John 14 vv1-14
Anthem: Lamentations a 5 (Part 2) (White)
Hymn: We sing the praise of him who died (Bow Brickhill)
Organ Voluntary: Fantasy on the tune ‘Babylon’s Streams’ (Harris)

Marcus Huxley (Director of Music)
Tim Harper (Assistant Director of Music)

[ardcarp]

If anyone does not know about Birmingham (Anglican) Cathedral, St Philip's was built as a parish church in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located near Colmore Row in the heart of the city surrounded by a small but pleasant square. It become the cathedral of the newly formed Diocese of Birmingham in 1905.

As with many 'classical' buildings, the acoustic is kindly to singers. Marcus Huxley (now retired) served as organist for a long time. His predecessor was Roy Massey.
There is no choir school, but I think there were/are arrangements with local day-schools including King Edward's.

[cat]

I see this was broadcast on Sunday 13 April 2014, presumably for the first time.

[Wolsey]

Marcus Huxley (now retired) served as organist for a long time. His predecessor was Roy Massey.

You've missed two. Marcus's predecessors were David Bruce-Payne (1974) and Hubert Best (1978).

[ardcarp]

Sorry! I should have said "one of his predecessors was...."

[DracoM]

Reminder: today @ 3.30p.m.

[ardcarp]

Well, I remember hearing this first time round. I thought, all things considered, they made a good fist of it. The presentation of the Psalms was particularly well thought out. I have to admit that the Blair canticles are not my cup of tea, but having a shot at the Robert White was definitely enterprising.

Birmingham's organ, like Topsy, 'just growed' over the years. I guess it could be called eclectic, but it's got a lot of suitable stops for accompanying the Anglican repertoire, and it was used tastefully, I thought, for this CE.

I'm avoiding mentioning the weak link....Oh damn, I just did.

[Keraulophone]

Were those the Blair b minor Canticles edited by Ivor Atkins? An extended version? They sounded significantly different to the version that we usually sing. If so, what was Atkins thinking?

[ardcarp]

The announcer said it was 'the un-edited version' if that's any help. Original Mss in Brum? Hmm. I noticed the difference too. But at best they're a bit rambling and IMVHO not very thoughtfully constructed.

Wiki on Hugh: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Blair_(composer)

and this on the B minor canticles from somewhere:

This service, composed for Worcester Cathedral, was written in January 1887. This original version was published in 1908 and appears in English Church Music, Volume 2 (OUP). It was considerably revised and expanded in March 1892 by Ivor Atkins, then Organist of Hereford Cathedral, later Blair's successor at Worcester Cathedral. The revised version was published in 1933, after Blair's death, and is the version more frequently heard today.

[Keraulophone]

Ah, then if this was the pre-Atkins original version, I think Ivor did Hugh a favour. I’ve always enjoyed it, especially the final Amen which cries out for a 32’ reed.

[ardcarp]

especially the final Amen which cries out for a 32’ reed

...and Brum has only a 16' Trombone...made of wood!