CE Sheffield Cathedral June 27th 2012

[bach736]

Here we go again

[mopsus]

I fear that when Sheffield last replaced its organ the city was already post-industrial and the money that might have once been there couldn't be found. I gather that some at the Cathedral would dearly love to replace the present instrument but others say 'But we've already got an organ'.
At one time I sang at a church with an organ scholarship that was sponsored by Boddington's.

[Roger Judd]

I see on the Cathedral web-site that they have a 'Gateway Project' one of whose aims is the provision of a pipe organ, specifically the installation of an 'historic instrument that we hope to rescue and restore'. From the accompanying plan it is clearly envisaged that the instrument will be at the west end of the building - good luck to the powers-that-be at the Cathedral - it will be wonderful if they can bring this plan to completion.
RJ

[DracoM]

Reminder: @ 3.30 p.m. today

[subcontrabass]

I see on the Cathedral web-site that they have a 'Gateway Project' one of whose aims is the provision of a pipe organ, specifically the installation of an 'historic instrument that we hope to rescue and restore'. From the accompanying plan it is clearly envisaged that the instrument will be at the west end of the building - good luck to the powers-that-be at the Cathedral - it will be wonderful if they can bring this plan to completion.
RJ

There is no indication, however, of what is to be done with the pipework of the old organ, which is still in place (to the north of the chancel).

[Finzi4ever]

"Hope they like psalm singing."

Most good choirs do, and IIRC Sheffield's last broadcast invited some considerable praise.

However, it wouldn't matter either way because it's only forty-odd verses, less than many other evenings, and the fact that you get chance to sing six chants means you don't get bored!

We had some luscious chants for these: the Turle/Purcell one for De Profundis that a lot of places use was a big favourite of ours. Major drama: unaccompanied in the stillness of a hushed cathedral, with those awesome chromatics. Congregation used to be entranced...

Love the Walford Davies for 130, don't know the Rhodes (not Peter, the eminent professor & author on the Ath. Pol., I don't imagine), but would always choose the plangent Willcocks chant for 131.

[DracoM]

Neat enough singing.
Dove was ......well, Dove.
Psalms felt a bit brisk and chopped at times, but then they did legato and it was lovely. Tenors good, top line a tad shrill at times but plenty of guts.
BUT then we came to the Bairstow which I did not know and that had some very fine moments indeed.

[DracoM]

Poor Sheffield! No-one interested.

[orson]

Patience, Draco. Quite sure plenty of people will hear it on Sunday. And quite sure that Anthony's playing will be missed, even on that disgraceful toaster that Sheffield still haven't got round to getting rid of. Good work for him to be moving to Gloucester where there is at least a proper organ.

[ardcarp]

Draco. I've just heard it. Well-directed and a well-blended choir. I thought the Dove was the most impressive. Those chord-clusters were very well tuned, and the dynamic contrasts were subtly graded. (OMG I sound like an Ass Board examiner!) An enjoyable CE, and those worried about the number of psalms need not have; Sheffield tripped through them at a fair old pace.

[Extended Play]

Poor Sheffield! No-one interested.

Draco, please bear in mind the possibility that some members of the Forum may be extremely interested in CE broadcasts, yet may feel reluctant to pitch in, not having the knowledge and experience of those who contribute regularly to this board. This is not a "sour grapes" post -- quite the opposite: I may not have any background in church music or liturgy, but I do look forward to each CE broadcast, have learned so much on this board, and am therefore immensely grateful to all those who take the trouble to share their expertise week by week.

[DracoM]

Of course, of course! But by 36 hours after many CEs there are a bit more than three who actually seemed to have listened!!
Delighted you will be with us, extended play, but I was just going on the usual past experience, thassorl................

[Mr Stoat]

Love the Walford Davies for 130, don't know the Rhodes (not Peter, the eminent professor & author on the Ath. Pol., I don't imagine), but would always choose the plangent Willcocks chant for 131.

Harold Rhodes - Coventry then Winchester until 1949? Keith rhodes - sometime Bradford Cathedral.....?

[Pegasus]

My first post on this forum, after a few weeks viewing and deciding whether it was good for me.

Having been in the small congregation at Evensong in Sheffield Cathedral a few weeks ago (boys and men) it struck me that, for all it's imperfections, this is a Cathedral that has music which is extremely well-crafted and expertly directed. This would certainly not be my opinion of all cathedrals. There are inherent challenges for the musicians (most obviously the building, and the organ), not least the absence of children from the families of the academic community of the University which is über-socialist and naturally averse to the traditions of cathedral music and independent education. (Apologies for a rare, sweeping generalisation, but I think it is pertinent.)

The psalms had a genuine sense of poetry about them (and make worthy comparison with Priory disc of psalms from Norwich with NT as organist). There was great discipline in the singing, with energetic rhythm and lively articulation. I felt the Leighton responses suffered from a lack of acoustic to help soften the edges of the more challenging harmonic language, but one got a real sense that this was worship as regularly presented. Yes, worship on a good day, but nothing contrived to deceive.

[DracoM]

Pegasus, welcome to the Forum in general and The Choir in particular.