Choral Vespers for the Wednesday within the Octave of Pentecost [R] 8.6.2022

[DracoM]

Choral Vespers for the Wednesday in the Octave of Pentecost [R]
The Church of Our Lady of Victories, Kensington, London
Recorded 20 January 2022

Order of Service:


Invitatory: Deus in adjutorium meum intende (Gastoldi)
Hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus (Plainsong)
Psalms 109, 113 (Plainsong)
Canticle: Apocalypse 19: 1-2, 5-7 (Plainsong)
Short Reading: Ephesians 4: 3-6
Short Responsory: Spiritus Domini replevit orbem terrarium (Plainsong)
Magnificat Primi Toni a 6 (Bevan)
Lord’s Prayer (Rimsky-Korsakov)
Motet: Loquebantur variis linguis (Tallis)
Marian Antiphon: Regina caeli laetare (Plainsong)

Voluntary: Improvisation on Regina caeli (Olivier Latry)

Olivier Latry (Grand Organ)
Benjamin Bloor (Choir Organ)
Timothy Macklin (Director of Music)

Monsignor James Curry (Celebrant)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0017tzk

[Finzi4ever]

This is potentially wonderful!

[ardcarp]

Oliver Latry in person. Wow. However, recorded ages ago?

[Miles Coverdale]

This was recorded on the same day that Olivier Latry gave the inaugural recital on the new Skrabl organ. See here. Note how he plays the entire recital from memory.

[subcontrabass]

When I see "Lord’s Prayer (Rimsky-Korsakov)" it raises questions about what they will actually be singing.

Will it be Rimsky-Korsakov's original in Church Slavonic?

Will it be an English adaptation of that?

If so will it be one that is faithful to the original, or one that distorts the melody line in unacceptable ways?

Will it be Kastorsky's unfortunate re-arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov. or an Englsh adaptation of that (and see previous comments for the variety involved)?

Of the ten or more Engkish versions that I have encountered, most use Kastorsky, and most foul up the melody.

[DracoM]

Reminder: today @ 4 p.m

[ardcarp]

I'm just trying to think of a word to describe this service. The plainsong was certainly very assertively sung, muscular even (!) as appropriate for a celebration of the Holy Spirit. Those improvised interspersions by M.Latry were a bit of a surprise at first! I would love to have seen the ceremonial aspects. Were there priestly coyrbantics going on during these 'extras', or did everyone just freeze and listen? I was enthralled by the whole service, and am always surprised by the flow of a professionally sung Latin Vespers. No gaps, or even time to think. Incredible acoustics in the Church of our Lady of Victories. I am not one to hold the view that broadcast services can become 'a concert'. I am perfectly sure it was all intended to be AMDG. Maybe this format could be a lesson for Anglican CE broadcasts? Quick welcome and 'travelogue' at the beginning, and then no interruptions.

[Vox Humana]

Totally agree with ardcarp about the seamless flow of the service. Very fine improvisations indeed from M. Latry, I thought – and what a magnificent organ!

[DracoM]

Basically an organ recital?

[oddoneout]

Basically an organ recital?

Seemed more like a dialogue to me.

[Keraulophone]

.
Pace the unimpeachable M. Latry, thank the Lord (and Cranmer) for The Order for Evening Prayer (Evensong).
.

[Finzi4ever]

Seemed more like a dialogue to me.

[Vox Humana]

Seemed more like a dialogue to me.

[Simon Biazeck]

Classic Latry! Fond memories of many Vespers services at Notre-Dame, albeit sung in the vernacular there. Transcendental interludes! Refreshingly forthright choir.

[Roger Judd]

An organ recital? Come off it, it was a most glorious Vespers, with the organ in traditional French style, playing in alternatim with the chant. Olivier Latry on brilliant form, I thought, with his concise improvisations always to the point. Excellent choir and a splendid piece of Tallis. What a wonderful new organ the church has invested in, overflowing with colour and character! Altogether the service was a treat, in my opinion, of course!
RJ