Stephen Layton

[Braunschlag]

https://twitter.com/TrinCollChoir/status/1633913072183123970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1633913072183123970%7Ctwgr%5E262265697a756e0f85a2376e5da2700920431414%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmander-organs-forum.invisionzone.com%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FTrinCollChoir%2Fstatus%2F1633913072183123970

[jonfan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYHEXeUZ8Y

A session video for a new CD of music by Antognini, a Swiss composer new to me. These few minutes show how SL will be an extremely hard act to follow.

[Finzi4ever]

These few minutes show how SL will be an extremely hard act to follow.

I couldn't agree more with your final statement. What was the b/g of the 'Sid' nickname?

[Caussade]

I couldn't agree more with your final statement. What was the b/g of the 'Sid' nickname?

From his intials, SDL. Someone supplied the missing vowel. They chose wisely from the available options, you might think.

[jonfan]

Apologies but I couldn't resist another session video that's just been released from the Antognini disc. The choir look so laid back singing what sounds to be very difficult music ensemble wise!. SL's pencil very evident!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfOae8ii1d4

[ardcarp]

TCCC is (in IMHO) one of the very best choirs...anywhere. I can hardly believe Layton's departure. I met Barry Rose the other day, and I gather he has just recently spent a few days with the choir. However in his mid-eighties, I think it unlikely he'll be a successor. Any suggestions as to which really outstanding choir trainers might be in the running? And will Trinity College realise who they are? The USA's choral scene has been on the up in recent years. I wonder if they'll hoover up Sid?

[Dave2002]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYHEXeUZ8Y
A session video for a new CD of music by Antognini, a Swiss composer new to me. These few minutes show how SL will be an extremely hard act to follow.

Very nice. I'm just not sure that I want this - but as an example of very good singing, maybe.

[jonfan]

TCCC is (in IMHO) one of the very best choirs...anywhere. I can hardly believe Layton's departure. I met Barry Rose the other day, and I gather he has just recently spent a few days with the choir. However in his mid-eighties, I think it unlikely he'll be a successor. Any suggestions as to which really outstanding choir trainers might be in the running? And will Trinity College realise who they are? The USA's choral scene has been on the up in recent years. I wonder if they'll hoover up Sid?

I'm sure Barry enjoyed his time with the choir as I'm sure they did with him. Under Stephen Layton the choir has risen to new heights which were already strong under Richard Marlow [Their Victoria Tenebrae Responsories are required listening for me during Holy Week.] The webcasts are a source of great pleasure, with unanimity and blend with absolute immaculate intonation. I could listen to their unaccompanied and unconducted psalms all day.
Stephen L wants to be more free with openings for guest conducting so I can't see him being tempted to the USA on a permanent posting. Replacement? - someone in the Oxbridge tradition to go forward but be different.
Eamonn Dougan comes to mind.

[cjsb]

The first service of the Summer Term at Trinity was livestreamed yesterday, including Howells Gloucester and the Brahms Geistliches Lied. I am struggling to find superlatives - what a choir! Link below - and there's a Bach recital by Andrew Lumsden before the service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4n8VdN0gnA

The music list is on the choir's website and SDL bows out on June 11th with Howells St Paul's and Byrd Quomodo Cantabimus.

https://trinitycollegechoir.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/TCC_Easter_Term_2023.pdf

[Keraulophone]

I could listen to their unaccompanied and unconducted psalms all day.

Psalm 23 yesterday being a perfect example [at 14'42]. Uncomplicated, unruffled, controlled, colourful and beautifully balanced: a cappella singing the like of which would be hard to find anywhere else. Stephen Layton's musical presence is felt even when he isn't conducting, but waiting in the antechapel. (The same applies to the Leighton Responses.)

Also a rare chance to hear Sir John Tavener's Russian/Greek Orthodox-influenced Canticles written for another college along the road at the request of Stephen Cleobury.

https://www.youtube.com/live/xtFQAw6q5T4?feature=share

.

[ardcarp]

Agree wholeheartedly with that. Fabulous singing. My only wish is that the Dec and Can sopranos (one per side) who have been detailed to 'conduct' the psalms and responses did it with slightly less obvious head movements.
(I have heard then referred to by an insider as 'the nodding donkeys') That is very rude, as they are clearly extremely able and talented musicians. But I know what he means.

[jonfan]

There’s a tantalising ‘Anthems, Vol 1-Trinity, Stephen Layton’ in the ‘Coming soon’ section of the latest newsletter from Hyperion. There’s obviously more from this partnership and and not just one cd! With your insider knowledge K, can you cast any light on what delights we have in store?

[Subtuum]

There’s a tantalising ‘Anthems, Vol 1-Trinity, Stephen Layton’ in the ‘Coming soon’ section of the latest newsletter from Hyperion. There’s obviously more from this partnership and and not just one cd! With your insider knowledge K, can you cast any light on what delights we have in store?

All info here re. ‘Anthems, Vol 1’: https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68434

[ardcarp]

Psalm 23 yesterday being a perfect example [at 14'42]. Uncomplicated, unruffled, controlled, colourful and beautifully balanced: a cappella singing the like of which would be hard to find anywhere else. Stephen Layton's musical presence is felt even when he isn't conducting, but waiting in the antechapel. (The same applies to the Leighton Responses.)

Also a rare chance to hear Sir John Tavener's Russian/Greek Orthodox-influenced Canticles written for another college along the road at the request of Stephen Cleobury.

https://www.youtube.com/live/xtFQAw6q5T4?feature=share

.

Mrs A and I listened/watched again just now. Such incredible singing. We couldn't help having slightly wicked thoughts about what Sid does when he disappears into the antechapel. A secret smoker perhaps? It is a little strange. The descant to Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem nearly went off the Richter scale....and does anyone know what that waving piece of rope (?) or flex (?) is doing ?? I thought a spider's web was spun across our screen at first, but no; it was there.

Being serious again, it struck me that apart from the amazing tuning and ensemble of the choir, Sid has got the vowel sounds completely matched. This is something many lesser choirs (choirmasters?) tend to overlook. His successor will have to be very special to replace him.

[jonfan]

Thanks Subtuum for the link to the CD contents, an eclectic mix. Agree Mr A with all your analysis and I would also like to point to the amazing control of the sopranos at the end of the Stanford, very quiet and very slow, plus superb Bach from Jonathan Lee. The sky high descant to St Fulbert sounded like one of Richard Marlow's virtuoso compositions.
The weird strands hanging from the north side of the chapel have been getting worse; my guess it is a cobweb hanging near the camera? A long pole with a brush should do the trick.
Subscribe to the choir's YouTube channel and your inbox is regularly filled with goodies from past services; the latest some Brahms from 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea_Fbigcqxc