Advent Carols in the Chapel of St John’s College, Cambridge 29th Nov 2020 [L]

[NearlyHeadlessN]

Trying?

[Ein Heldenleben]

No I mean in musical terms I mean effortlessly succeeding obviously . But they say “never go back” ...

[jonfan]

Brilliant service, enjoyed it immensely as an act of worship and a musical treat. The empty chapel sounded strange to start with but I soon adjusted. The hymns went at a better lick. It must have been helpful to the sound engineers to have the sound stage as in rehearsal without a congregation altering things. Twelve year old Harry’s piece a winner. Someone to listen out for. Only minus was a verse missing from ‘Lo! he comes’. There was time.
Thank you St John’s.

[DracoM]

Sung with good spirit, energy and attack. Good variety. Very Johns. And to my mind all the better for it.

Yes to the L'Estrange, Gardener. Not the McDowall - sorry, but....

PS Well, I wonder if there actually was NO congregation after all? Sounded like a few voices apart from choir / ministers in the 'congregational' carols? Not a crowd as per usual,. ..indeed... but...but....what did others make of it? Don't think it was my imagination hankering........at least.....?!

[mw963]

Terrific service! 10/10 all round.

[DracoM]

Brilliant service, enjoyed it immensely as an act of worship and a musical treat. The empty chapel sounded strange to start with but I soon adjusted. The hymns went at a better lick. It must have been helpful to the sound engineers to have the sound stage as in rehearsal without a congregation altering things. Twelve year old Harry’s piece a winner. Someone to listen out for. Only minus was a verse missing from ‘Lo! he comes’. There was time.
Thank you St John’s.

[W.Kearns]

Loved it. 'This is the Record of John' was a special highlight.

[Simon Biazeck]

Very moving. I am an emotional wreck at the moment, but I was on the verge (shivers up the spine and a knot in the stomach during Veni Emmanuel) because I won't sing any Carol or Christmas services this year. That vibrant treble tone! I soon calmed down. The atmosphere of fervent prayer seemed evident to me, perhaps because of the circumstances and the absence of a congregation...?

Gardner's 'Gallery Carol' actually caught me by surprise in the end - shades of Count Basie!

It does feel like the season has begun. Blessed Advent, all!

SBz

[Andrew Butler]

As I’ve said before, the congregational participation is part of the atmosphere- with loads of organ. Glad l didn’t listen.

[Spdrgn]

In the hymns it really sounded as though there was a congregation (though I’m told there wasn’t)

[Bella Kemp]

It was incredibly moving. The final verse of the final hymn was one of my highlights of the year: 'Lo He comes with clouds descending,' It will resonate with me for a long time.

[Roger Judd]

Well, Andrew Butler, there was 'loads of organ' in fact there couldn't have been more! Members of the College were there in the congregation apparently, and the whole service was the most splendidly inspirational act of worship that one could have hoped to be a part of, albeit from the comfort of my home. It was, IMO, beautifully engineered by the Beeb too ... full marks all round.
RJ

[jonfan]

Well, Andrew Butler, there was 'loads of organ' in fact there couldn't have been more! Members of the College were there in the congregation apparently, and the whole service was the most splendidly inspirational act of worship that one could have hoped to be a part of, albeit from the comfort of my home. It was, IMO, beautifully engineered by the Beeb too ... full marks all round.
RJ

[DracoM]

[Petrushka]

Well, Andrew Butler, there was 'loads of organ' in fact there couldn't have been more! Members of the College were there in the congregation apparently, and the whole service was the most splendidly inspirational act of worship that one could have hoped to be a part of, albeit from the comfort of my home. It was, IMO, beautifully engineered by the Beeb too ... full marks all round.
RJ