CE King's College, Cambridge [L] Wed, 14th June 2023

[DracoM]

CE King's College, Cambridge [L] Wed, 14th June 2023

Order of Service:

Responses: Smith
Psalms 73, 74 (Stainer, Soaper, Deffell, Wesley)
First Lesson: Genesis 42: 17-38
Magnificat octavi toni a 8 (Vivanco)
Second Lesson: Matthew 18: 1-14
Nunc dimittis quarti toni (Palestrina)
Anthem: Jubilate Deo (Gabrieli)

Voluntary: Fantasia (Gibbons)

Paul Greally (Organ Scholar)
Daniel Hyde (Director of Music)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mmnq

[DracoM]

REminder: today and LIVE!

[Keraulophone]

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I might wander down the road to King’s this afternoon.

Gerontius (Bach Choir/King’s Choir/BBC Concert O/Hyde/Staples/Platt/Wyn-Rogers) in the chapel last night was recorded by Radio 3 for future transmission. Tried to get in but no tickets left. Sought advice from CW-R re Ms K’s future.

What a pity Richard Strauss didn’t write music for the church… still…

…[with OT apologies] I have Ms K’s final Cambridge recital to attend this evening in Trinity College Chapel at 7.30. I will add the link later today to the livestream via the TCMS YouTube page. It will also be on the concerts thread on the MB.

All Richard Strauss, postponed from end of last year and substituted with Russian lullabies and love songs (really lovely -see TCMS YT page). That RS Lieder Vol 1 I presented her with on her 17th b’day seems to have had a lasting effect - the desired effect. Now I’ve had to acquire the other volumes. Many of the piano arrangements of the orchestral songs, particularly in slow moving passages as found in Beim Schlafengehen and Im Abendrot wear a bit thin. A decent accompanist ought to flesh them out a little to keep the interest going instead of giving us long, fading piano strings trying and failing to replicate the effect of sustained strings and winds.

The Four Last Songs will conclude her three years in this fair city - a bit cheeky for a 21yo.
Yes - but the young are fearless.

Link to Strauss recital - https://www.youtube.com/live/qKvB74yutTE?feature=share
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[Loftgoblin420]

Any thoughts on today's offering from the choir of King's College of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge?

[jonfan]

A wonderful renaissance fest, fabulously caught by the engineering. The choir is on stunning form, singing with urgency of communication. The spoken sections were well delivered too with prayers from the Dean that resonated with me.
A PS.
Jonny Bairstow, the Yorkshire cricketer, has just become a father; the baby is called Edward.

[Decanicrack401]

I thought it was a strong offering today

[DracoM]

Balanced, thoughtful singing, comfortable with the repertoire. Good to hear KCC in form a league away from the usual Xmas bosh.

[Keraulophone]

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In situ, this was the best I have ever heard this choir sing. The marvellous repertoire was perfect for the huge spaces of King’s chapel, unsullied inside but clad with intricate scaffolding outside (new roof lead work and solar panels).

Nothing to add really, other than well done Dan Hyde and the choir! A more glorious Wednesday Evensong could hardly be imagined, if the rep is to one’s taste, which in my case it most certainly is.

[Vox Humana]

Yes, loved the repertoire. Also a shout out for the subtle psalm accompaniment which left the choir centre stage (though I wouldn't have minded a bit more colour and just a tad more volume so we could appreciate just what expertise was on display). Importantly, it really did feel like a service, not a concert. If I had to criticise (which I don't, but I will), it's the amount of vibrato from the back rows. In Sheppard's Lord's Prayer I was trying to listen to the individual lines, but they were impossible to discern clearly and the balance wasn't ideal either. I really found it rather disturbing. But perhaps listening so forensically is to miss the point and in all other respects the experience was eminently satisfying. A wonderful service.

[ardcarp]

Haven't heard the service yet, but can't wait to hear it on catch-up tonight.

the subtle psalm accompaniment......left the choir centre stage (though I wouldn't have minded a bit more colour and just a tad more volume

I think that may be one of DH's things. At St Thomas's NY I believe he usually did the psalms totally unacc.

[Vox Humana]

I think that may be one of DH's things.

Yes, I wondered about that too.

[Y Mab Afradlon]

I have to admit that I found the tempi in the Vivianco Magnificat quite off putting. In the opulent acoustic of the chapel (that DVW is said to have commented it can make a fart sound like a Nine fold Amen) some of the phrases were a little hurried and some of the parts missed their moments to shine out of the texture. The psalms however were stunning. The mixture of the back row was interesting and the introduction of post grad lay clerks to supplement the undergrads was significant.

[jonfan]

The psalms however were stunning.

Well it takes all sorts; I found the psalms the most disappointing aspect of the service. It was all the same volume with no variety and little interpretation of the text.

[D Hyde]

I am always bemused by some of the reactions and responses on this forum. So (—)informed. Of course, anyone and everyone is always happy to receive praise for their work when praise is due, but I just wish you lot would post as real people. You’re mostly just giving your opinion under the shroud of intertrol anonymity.

You’re probably all choral scholars at St John’s for all I care!

It doesn’t matter if you have positive or negative things to say - just own them and engage in a real discussion.

And yes, this is the real Daniel Hyde.

[D Hyde]

Btw, it’s impossible to accompany psalms (at St Thomas 5th Ave) when there’s no organ whilst a new organ is being installed. And yes, unaccompanied psalms can be wonderful, just as accompanied psalms should be subtle and not in any way overwhelming the choir.

Oh sorry! I am being too direct and probably offensive, but yes it is me, the real Daniel Hyde.