A Service for Advent with Carols 27.xi.2022 [L]

[oddoneout]

Well said; yes, I too feel there should be room for the 'simpler carols'. I think we need to avoid too much sophistication at this traditional event.

As a child Advent was a more solemn season than it seems to be these days; a period of preparation and reflection while awaiting Christmas. The music reflected that, and made for a real contrast with the celebratory mood of Christmas.

[DracoM]

[jonfan]

As a child Advent was a more solemn season than it seems to be these days; a period of preparation and reflection while awaiting Christmas. The music reflected that, and made for a real contrast with the celebratory mood of Christmas.

Absolutely. The decline of Christianity has hastened the tendency to treat Advent as a warm up for Christmas instead of a period of penitence; purple on the altar as in Lent. The hymns are first class and our vicar had ‘Lo! He comes’ on each of the four Sundays. The tree and other decorations weren’t put up until Christmas Eve, then one wasn’t tired of them before the Twelve Days were up.

[Pulcinella]

Absolutely. The decline of Christianity has hastened the tendency to treat Advent as a warm up for Christmas instead of a period of penitence; purple on the altar as in Lent. The hymns are first class and our vicar had ‘Lo! He comes’ on each of the four Sundays. The tree and other decorations weren’t put up until Christmas Eve, then one wasn’t tired of them before the Twelve Days were up.

York gives us Hills of the North, rejoice (Little Conrad): not one of my favourites, though I can't really say why. Maybe it's that leap of a tenth!

[ardcarp]

Hills of the North, rejoice

Ooh I like that one...and did as a kid.

Oh dear, supermarkets were getting ready for Christmas in October. At the other extreme, Wells Cathedral used not to have its Carol Service until Boxing Day. (Changed now I think.)

[DracoM]

Reminder: today @ 3 p.m.

[Nick Armstrong]

York gives us Hills of the North, rejoice (Little Conrad): not one of my favourites, though I can't really say why. Maybe it's that leap of a tenth!

Oh it’s a cracker!

[Pulcinella]

Oh it’s a cracker!

I thought that you had to wait till Christmas for those!


(I'll possibly report back later, but I imagine it more than likely that it will feature today!)

[Nick Armstrong]

I thought that you had to wait till Christmas for those!

I’ll set ‘em up, you knock ‘em in!

[Petrushka]

Full Order of Service here:

https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Advent%20Carol%20Service%202022.pdf

[Alison]

Full Order of Service here:

https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/sites/defa...ice%202022.pdf

The hymn ending part two differs from DracoMs listing

I was sulking a bit that CROSS OF JESUS was not on this year.

[DracoM]

I take my info from the BBC R3 schedule listings. Apologies.

[Petrushka]

I take my info from the BBC R3 schedule listings. Apologies.

No problem, DracoM. I assumed that was the case.

Any views at all? I'm no expert so tread cautiously but of the new pieces I very much enjoyed the Iain Farrington carol, 'Nova' Nova', which sort of reminded me of William Mathias. It was sung here with terrific panache and made a very suitable lead in to the final hymn. Definitely one to hear again.

David Hill's descant to 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' was practically inaudible, at least to my ears, and it's not really a suitable hymn for a descant anyway, in my opinion.

My other slight gripe is that the organ seemed way ahead in the hymns, constantly pushing forward. I know congregations can drag a hymn backwards but they sounded over-rushed here. I do have a preference for slower hymn singing and wonder why everyone seems in such a confounded hurry these days. The service ended with three or so minutes to spare so there was no need for any hurry.

I'd prefer lessons to be read by alternate male/female speakers: there was a preponderance of female readers here which should have been avoided.

[silvestrione]

No problem, DracoM. I assumed that was the case.

Any views at all? I'm no expert so tread cautiously but of the new pieces I very much enjoyed the Iain Farrington carol, 'Nova' Nova', which sort of reminded me of William Mathias. It was sung here with terrific panache and made a very suitable lead in to the final hymn. Definitely one to hear again.

David Hill's descant to 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' was practically inaudible, at least to my ears, and it's not really a suitable hymn for a descant anyway, in my opinion.

My other slight gripe is that the organ seemed way ahead in the hymns, constantly pushing forward. I know congregations can drag a hymn backwards but they sounded over-rushed here. I do have a preference for slower hymn singing and wonder why everyone seems in such a confounded hurry these days. The service ended with three or so minutes to spare so there was no need for any hurry.

I'd prefer lessons to be read by alternate male/female speakers: there was a preponderance of female readers here which should have been avoided.

I'm no expert either, but I thought this was moving and the choral singing excellently characterful throughout. Yes, for me also 'Nova, nova' was a stand out, glorious.

[DracoM]

Sorry - thoight the Farrington was pretty undignified. Trebs would have loved it. I didn't.
Miss the GG grit.