Today's Sunday Worship...oh dear.

[ardcarp]

I was optimistic about the content of today's Sunday Worship:

The Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s Church, Piccadilly, and composer Bob Chilcott explore the power of music to speak into troubled times.

Yes, it is in R4's 'religion' slot. But the music was robbed of its power by being clumsily faded in and out and constantly talked over.
I'm afraid it was a throwing-pillows-at the-radio moment for us. Did anyone else hear it?

[Cockney Sparrow]

Yes. I often turn off the radio after the news. Grim morning services (eg thos from N. Ireland) have little joy for me.

The Tallis opener is a favourite of our chorus master so it was poignant to listen. When will I sing it again? I didn't take against the fading, and thought it was a reasonable effort given the time constraint. I did however take offence at the inclusion of "Agnus Dei" the Nimrod arrangement which, for me is an abomination. But there again, it soon passed, and was faded out.......:)

[DracoM]

GRRR!!!! That Nimrod.....yes, oh yes!

[ardcarp]

I think the Tallis was the only piece not interrupted. Did The Lord's prayer really need to be spoken over Faure's In Paradisum?

[cloughie]

I think the Tallis was the only piece not interrupted. Did The Lord's prayer really need to be spoken over Faure's In Paradisum?

Didn't hear it as I have avoided these services since hearing a couple of dreadful ones early on but that sounds bad, and totally unnecessary and misguided - the habit of talking over music generally is bad - I accidentally heard part of Jess Gillam's programme and not only did she interview a guest over it but that included a piano being played - totally mad. If they wanted music to the Lord's Prayer why not sing the lovely Malotte arrangement?

[Flay]

I think the Tallis was the only piece not interrupted. Did The Lord's prayer really need to be spoken over Faure's In Paradisum?

It's not a concert, it's "Sunday worship" for those who want it. I never listen, but have to parts of this one due to these postings.

Let me quote from one of the speakers: "Dissonance has the power to energise and to challenge us."

That goes for a few threads this morning.

Always having perfect cadences would be boring.

[ardcarp]

Yes we got an elementary music lesson from Bob Chilcott. My objection is NOT about having the spoken word. But why use it to drown out the musical items when the theme of the programme was The Power of Music?

...and perfect cadences are often approached with a 4-3 suspension. A dissonance resolved.

[DracoM]

<< Yes we got an elementary music lesson from Bob Chilcott. My objection is NOT about having the spoken word. But why drown out the musical items when the theme of the programme was The Power of Music? >>

Exactly.

[W.Kearns]

I inwardly quibbled about the talking over the music, but at the same time, I appreciated the solid sense (esp from Rev Lucy Winkett) of what was being said. When live music is under threat in the way that it is at present, to have someone so intelligently and unassumingly argue the case for its importance counts for much.

[Flay]

Yes we got an elementary music lesson from Bob Chilcott.

But it wasn't just written for you.

A dissonance resolved.

No worries

[ardcarp]

I appreciated the solid sense (esp from Rev Lucy Winkett) of what was being said. When live music is under threat in the way that it is at present, to have someone so intelligently and unassumingly argue the case for its importance counts for much.

I'm a big fan of Lucy Winkett. (She trained at the RCM as a singer incidentally.) It was the format and production of the programme that was so awful...defeating its aims IMO.

[jonfan]

I'm a big fan of Lucy Winkett. (She trained at the RCM as a singer incidentally.) It was the format and production of the programme that was so awful...defeating its aims IMO.

What do you think the aims were Mr A? This is not Radio 3, where the music would be to the fore, but an act of worship. I thought both presenters were excellent and gave me thoughtful material to ponder. A lot of encouragement, and prayer, for those in exile from choirs and live music in church. The musical excerpts were secondary, quite obviously, with lots of spoken thoughts to get through. The two presenters complemented each other very effectively.
Is it usual to have an opinion in the title of a thread by the way?

[MrGongGong]

It's not a concert, it's "Sunday worship" for those who want it. I never listen, but have to parts of this one due to these postings.

Let me quote from one of the speakers: "Dissonance has the power to energise and to challenge us."
.

But syncopation will get you straight to hell ?

[ardcarp]

The musical excerpts were secondary

Really? I'll re-post:

The Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s Church, Piccadilly, and composer Bob Chilcott explore the power of music to speak into troubled times.

If you want music to soothe, as it often does for me, it doesn't help to have its volume going up and down like a switchback, nor to have it spoken over.
Looking at it the other way round, can anyone really get meaning from the spoken word with music being massacred simultaneously?

[jonfan]

Yes exactly, exploring the Power of Music by discussion, not performing it.