I take all that, ardcarp, but perhaps because I don't get to sing Sumsion much these days (I did a great deal a long time ago but polyphony and Opera have rather taken over!) I am rather nostalgic for its easy lyricism. However, I do think 'They that go down to the sea in ships' is a great piece - his best, in my opinion. I probably groaned too when Sumsion in G came around for the umpteenth time way back when, but I think the ATB Evening Service, (the Nunc in particular) is very fine. Sarah and her choir's approach was so fresh, musical, honest and unfettered, I just reveled in it all!
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I'll grant you it's quite an effective piece, and probably his best. I wouldn't quite go so far as to grant it 'choral masterpiece of the 20th century' status!However, I do think 'They that go down to the sea in ships' is a great piece - his best, in my opinion.
I agree with you about the lovely singing from Ely this pm. A very enjoyable CE.Comment
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To be clear, that's not quite what I said above!Originally posted by ardcarp View Post
I did say I thought it was one of the jewels in the crown of 20th c. English Church Music, and I stick by that. You are, of course welcome to your opinion - our perspectives may differ. As for 'choral masterpiece(s) of the 20th century', well, let's not get started on that, suffice to say that many of them were written by Britten, RVW, Howells and Duruflè in my humble opinion! 
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Ah, at last, someone who can be moved by Choral Evensong. Wonderful !Originally posted by Simon Biazeck View PostComment
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'Psallam spiritu et mente'.
Well, if that's the future, I can live with it - beautiful tone, clear diction, with one voice. Good sound technically on my receiver, too.
Psalmody impressive though I prefer God to go up with a somewhat merrier noise.
Whitlock well played but thought the Harrison tuning a bit flaky in places.
My favourite cathedral and they did us proud.Comment
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As ardcarp wisely implied it was a 'safe' service: choice of Sumsion [ I too find him pretty bland fare ] showed that not much was ventured and within the parameters of the repertoire they delivered, it was pleasingly and efficiently done.
Not sure that at any point, this choir was set much of a challenge - and indeed, I fully admit that for a national broadcast and after only 5yrs in existence, maybe 'playing safe' and getting the job done were the main aims. In those aims, AFAICS, they succeeded. I am delighted for them that they have warm praise here.
Just was not my cup of tea.Comment
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Lovely service. Many thanks.Comment
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Do hope you mean the plainchant office hymn. Splendid to hear them maintining (even improving upon) that great tradition of 2-lines to a breath, subtly underpinned with those delicate and unobtrusive Wills accomps. Takes me right back...Originally posted by Simon Biazeck View Post
What a sublime gem that introit is - rather carol-like, but so effective for those touching words! While not a fan of all Shephard's work, Never Weather and his responses have become essential classics of the era.
On the Harrison tuning, the reeds in particular have always been temperamental, but I'd hoped rather better since the last rebuild. On the organ balance, it is a little remote when the choir are in the Octagon stalls and though there was plenty of variety and lovely word-painting in the psalms, not all of it came across and the occasional roar (of the East wind) seemed very muted. That said, the positioning did aid the rumble of the Double Open Wood in the last psalm.Comment
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That suited me just fine.On the organ balance, it is a little remote when the choir are in the Octagon stalls and though there was plenty of variety and lovely word-painting in the psalms, not all of it came across and the occasional roar (of the East wind) seemed very muted.Comment
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