Something Understood...The Choir

[ardcarp]

One needs to be either an early bird, a night bird or possibly an insomniac to catch Mark Tully's thoughtful slot on Radio 4. This morning's was entitled The Choir, and devoted much of its time to a session at Winchester with Andrew Lumsden and the boy choristers. The programme is, I think, repeated ce soir.

[ardcarp]

Link to the above:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qn7f

[Lizzie]

One needs to be either an early bird, a night bird or possibly an insomniac to catch Mark Tully's thoughtful slot on Radio 4. This morning's was entitled The Choir, and devoted much of its time to a session at Winchester with Andrew Lumsden and the boy choristers. The programme is, I think, repeated ce soir.

I gather our Precentor also involved. I shall have to try to listen at 2330 for the repeat. I can't do LA via my mobile. It was said to be very good by our Dean this morning.

[decantor]

Link to the above: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qn7f

Thank you for the link, ardcarp. I listened in the late late night-owl slot, as usual. The programme said as much as two-thirds of what I would wish to be said about the connection between music and faith in a cathedral. It also committed the cardinal sin of talking over the Winchester choir's performance of Lotti - but it's only Radio 4. Even so, I may well listen again if I can find the time - so much plain truth in simple language.

[Lizzie]

Thank you for the link, ardcarp. I listened in the late late night-owl slot, as usual. The programme said as much as two-thirds of what I would wish to be said about the connection between music and faith in a cathedral. It also committed the cardinal sin of talking over the Winchester choir's performance of Lotti - but it's only Radio 4. Even so, I may well listen again if I can find the time - so much plain truth in simple language.

I also listened late at night and thought it was an excellent programme. It really is exactly like that at Winchester and the faith and commitment shines through day by day and week by week. There truly is a wonderful atmosphere of the beauty of holiness and time after time, our commitment to our Benedictine roots is emphasised.
That ethos of faith and care for others is also central at Pilgrims School where the boys are educated and they are encouraged to be caring members of society.
Absolutely right about talking over the Lotti! Tsk Tsk!

[Serial_Apologist]

I also listened late at night and thought it was an excellent programme. It really is exactly like that at Winchester and the faith and commitment shines through day by day and week by week. There truly is a wonderful atmosphere of the beauty of holiness and time after time, our commitment to our Benedictine roots is emphasised.
That ethos of faith and care for others is also central at Pilgrims School where the boys are educated and they are encouraged to be caring members of society.
Absolutely right about talking over the Lotti! Tsk Tsk!

Well writing from an atheistic point of view, I found the programme very moving. Taking up religious issues as he does, Mark always stresses spiritual aspects underlying most if not all religions.

S-A

[DracoM]

I liked the very down to earth Lumsden explanations. totally un-rhetorical, or full of 'holy speak'. Excellent. And shame though it was, this was not really a programme about listening to a choir at any length so much as the rationale behind having one such to lead or distil worship.

[ardcarp]

this was not really a programme about listening to a choir at any length so much as the rationale behind having one such to lead or distil worship.

Exactly so. (And I come at it as an agnostic!)

[Magnificat]

There was an article in the Telegraph at the weekend about Mark Tully who lives in India where he was born. Evidently he believes in Karma and re-incarnation but still considers himself a Christian and finds it impossible to give up his Anglican roots.

VCC

[Serial_Apologist]

There was an article in the Telegraph at the weekend about Mark Tully who lives in India where he was born. Evidently he believes in Karma and re-incarnation but still considers himself a Christian and finds it impossible to give up his Anglican roots.

VCC

I rather think Jonathan Harvey is of the same religious persuasions. I've never quite understood how Christianity can be squared with Hinduism or Buddhism - the latter especially - given that the two traditions are based on quite different premises; be that as may, in Harvey's case the "marriage" has I feel inspired some of the most wonderful music of our time.

[ardcarp]

...not least, maybe, because Jonathan H's son was (I believe) a chorister at Winchester.

[MrGongGong]

yes he was
hence the classic "Mortuos Plango Vivos Voco" one of the great English electroacoustic pieces
Harvey's book on music and spirituality is worth reading and its really worth going to hear him speak if you get the chance !

[Serial_Apologist]

...not least, maybe, because Jonathan H's son was (I believe) a chorister at Winchester.

Oh I rather think it goes back further than that, ardcarp

[Serial_Apologist]

yes he was
hence the classic "Mortuos Plango Vivos Voco" one of the great English electroacoustic pieces
Harvey's book on music and spirituality is worth reading and its really worth going to hear him speak if you get the chance !

Yes I've seen it MrGG, and thanks for the reminder. Maybe my Xmas present to myself for this year.

[ardcarp]

I was lucky enough to hear MPVV at its outing in the Southern Cathedrals Festival (c, 1975/6?) A bit of tut- tutting about amplified stuff (overtones of bell, modified, I seem to remember) by some, but for me it was a magical experience.