CE Chapel of Lambeth Palace Wed, 20th July 2022 [R]

[cat]

Yes. At least, William Warham did.

Thanks, I've just been looking into him, it seems there is some speculation that a young Tallis might have been a member of his household choir.

I just discovered that there was thought to have been a choir at Lambeth Palace Chapel even after the reformation (the composer Thomas Whythorne was DoM there at one point) and it seems to have been abolished by Archbishop Abbot c1611.

[jonfan]

A pity St Martin’s Voices didn’t sing a Capella then they might have elicited comments on this thread on aspects of the CE other than the organ.

[Keraulophone]

A pity St Martin’s Voices didn’t sing a Capella then they might have elicited comments on this thread on aspects of the CE other than the organ.

They did in the psalm. What did you think? IMV rather strict, if not dull... but that's young adult pros for you, who may not have sung daily psalms all their lives. Good voices are not enough; experience helps to achieve the desired flexibility and, dare I say, a sense of spirituality that the psalms convey to many. DoMs who don't understand what I'm on about will, inevitably, disagree.

[jonfan]

They did in the psalm. What did you think? IMV rather strict, if not dull... but that's young adult pros for you, who may not have sung daily psalms all their lives. Good voices are not enough; experience helps to achieve the desired flexibility and, dare I say, a sense of spirituality that the psalms convey to many. DoMs who don't understand what I'm on about will, inevitably, disagree.

Totally agree in the psalm, just as emotional as reading a phone directory. This wooden rendering must come from the DOM as many of the young pros are products of university chapel choirs where I'm sure psalms were delivered with a sense of the meaning of the text in the context of seeking the divine in the shared experience.

[Vox Humana]

... and, dare I say, a sense of spirituality that the psalms convey to many.

The same goes for much of the singing we hear in Anglican service broadcasts these days. I get the impression that some people just don't understand (or care to associate themselves with?) the psyche from which this music arose and which it was meant to enhance. There are honourable exceptions, of course, Andrew Nethsinga being the outstanding one.

[jonfan]

There are honourable exceptions, of course, Andrew Nethsinga being the outstanding one.

Beyond outstanding is Trinity College Choir, Cambridge. Usually without conductor and sung a Capella. Check out their website, many are stored there with easy access to a particular psalm sung in a particular year. Just immerse yourself.

[ardcarp]

I think there has always been a huge variety of ways in which Psalms have been sung to Anglican chant. A sort of slowed down speech rhythm seems to be the preferred option nowadays, lending a natural emphasis to stressed and unstressed syllables. However, many (most?) cathedral and college choirs tend to develop their own little idiosyncrasies which result in the drawling out of some irrelevant words. New College Oxford, in Higginbottom's days was about the most idiosyncratic It used to make me chuckle, as they gabbled the words on the reciting notes, and did a waltz rhythm in the middle bars. Psalms apart, NCO was about my favourite College choir. This is such a big subject, perhaps it's best not to get too bogged down with detail. I prefer to approach sung CE with an open mind, and if I find pleasure in the unanimity and the blend, I'm happy to take what is offered.

[Finzi4ever]

Totally agree in the psalm, just as emotional as reading a phone directory. This wooden rendering must come from the DOM as many of the young pros are products of university chapel choirs where I'm sure psalms were delivered with a sense of the meaning of the text in the context of seeking the divine in the shared experience.

While not wholly disagreeing about the singing of the psalm, the words were brilliantly clear and beautifully together. Ps104 is a great psalm for word painting and quite long, so a tough call to do unaccompanied even by a toaster. I felt they kept up the momentum throughout well but it certainly lacked dynamic variation.
Not convinced the Sowerby canticles are worth the effort but again the 'instrument' really didn't help here. I did like the responses which are new to me.
It's an excellently blended choir producing a lovely sound.