CE Chapel of Selwyn College, Cambridge [L] Wed, 30th June 2021

[DracoM]

CE Chapel of Selwyn College, Cambridge [L]


Order of Service:


Introit: Upon your heart (Eleanor Daley)
Responses: Sarah MacDonald
Psalms 147, 148, 149, 150 (Stanford, MacDonald, Naylor, Stanford)
First Lesson: Isaiah 24: 1-15
Canticles: Brewer in D
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 6: 1-11
Anthem: Crossing the bar (Rani Arbo)
Hymn: Lord for the years (Lord of the years)

Voluntary: Psalm 150 (Toon Hagen)

Michael Stephens-Jones (Percy Young Senior Organ Scholar)
Sarah MacDonald (Director of Music)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000xd0f

[DracoM]

Reminder: today @ 3.30p.m.

[jonfan]

Some stunningly beautiful singing, especially the still inward moments in the introit and anthem; fervent psalms.
From the opening chord of 'Crossing the bar' I thought it was Parry's famous setting, but Rani Arbo's homophonic version of the words had the same suspension in time as the Parry. Just wonderful. Thank you Selwyn. Terrific bouncy voluntary to finish. I hope another CE was recorded for the future?

[subcontrabass]

I hope another CE was recorded for the future?

Scheduled for broadcast on 21st July.

[jonfan]

Scheduled for broadcast on 21st July.

[Magister Chori]

Even more than for the well polished singing, this CE was remarkably good for the good blending of old and new stuff (someone would call it an inclusive music list...), though all the new items were of that simple and straightforward type of music which seems so fashionable nowadays (nothing wrong with it, but also some more challenging music is needed: we cannot live on minimalism alone!).

A particular mention for the simple yet effective new setting of the Responses by their DoM.

[DracoM]

Anthem caught the ear. Good and well-sustained
As for the rest ..........unadventurous. Bit slow.
Yes, anonymous men, elsewhere competent but IMO much less interesting than Rugby Sch.

[daktari]

For those who are interested in the voluntary with its infectious African rhythm: Toon Hagen, titular organist of St Michael's Church, Zwolle, The Netherlands, wrote this festive piece on the occasion of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. The cantus firmus (the Genevan tune of Psalm 150) was originally played by a trumpet. Judging from the versions available on YouTube (including one played by the composer on the Zwolle Schnitger organ) it has gained significant popularity with organists in The Netherlands and I suspect this was its BBC premiere. Margaret Phillips included Toon Hagen's Shalom on her disc Capriccio (2014).

[Vox Humana]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Rani Arbo's piece originally a solo song? I gather that there is more than one arrangement for SATB. It would have been good to have some information about this.

[DracoM]

Indeed - had no idea about that. Info from anyone?

[Magister Chori]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Rani Arbo's piece originally a solo song? I gather that there is more than one arrangement for SATB. It would have been good to have some information about this.

Yes, originally a solo song written for Rani Arbo's two bandes (Salamander Crossing and Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem): they both recorded it in two different versions.

I know that Selwyn performed it from this recently published anthology: https://www.multitudeofvoyces.co.uk/...-satb-anthems/

No arranger's name there, so I assume it's composer's own SATB version, though other non original arrangements also exists.

[Historian]

For those who are interested in the voluntary with its infectious African rhythm: Toon Hagen, titular organist of St Michael's Church, Zwolle, The Netherlands, wrote this festive piece on the occasion of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. The cantus firmus (the Genevan tune of Psalm 150) was originally played by a trumpet. Judging from the versions available on YouTube (including one played by the composer on the Zwolle Schnitger organ) it has gained significant popularity with organists in The Netherlands and I suspect this was its BBC premiere. Margaret Phillips included Toon Hagen's Shalom on her disc Capriccio (2014).

Thank you for this, very helpful. The level of knowledge (and willingness to share it) on this forum remains one of its great strengths.