CE Westminster Abbey December 5th 2012

**Wolsey** · 01-12-12, 13:14

A small correction, DracoM: it's the first broadcast performance of Peter Maxwell Davies's anthem.

**DracoM** · 01-12-12, 20:10

I did wonder actually. Thank you. Have you already heard it?

**subcontrabass** · 01-12-12, 20:52

First performance was possibly Southwark Cathedral, 22nd November 2011 (see: http://www.choirbookforthequeen.org....d=50&Itemid=90 ).

**Simon** · 02-12-12, 00:33

Much to anticipate with enthusiasm, but personally am really looking forward most of all to those gloriously perfect Byrd responses!

**ardcarp** · 02-12-12, 08:05

Schutz's so-called 'German' Magnificat is a wonderfully exuberant piece for double choir which isn't often done in the Anglican liturgy because it's, er, in German. I last remember it on broadcast CE from Gonville and Caius several years ago.

**Wolsey** · 02-12-12, 19:24

Originally posted by DracoM View Post

I did wonder actually. Thank you. Have you already heard it?

Yes, I have. I was at the launch of the Choirbook for The Queen just over a year ago at Southwark Cathedral mentioned above by subcontrabass, and heard it then.

**DracoM** · 05-12-12, 11:51

If I can slip in a reminder of the CE today at 3.30 p.m....................

**DracoM** · 05-12-12, 17:13

Q1: when and where are we likely to hear the PMD/Williams new work for the Choirbook for the Queen again? Sounded a nightmare to learn.

Schutz canticles - hmm. Music attractive enough, but had a strange feeling of being just a tad tentative in places.

Best thing in the service for me by a street was the Grier introit.

**Simon Biazeck** · 05-12-12, 19:40

I loved pretty much every minute of this! Real virtuosity, musicality and bags of personality right from the outset.

The Grier introit is excellent - more of this solid, sincere writing, please. I'm heartily sick of the sort of farraginous choral dry ice that seems so popular at the moment, and this was a breath of fresh air. A brilliant and beautiful tenor solo, up to a B! I bet he was glad that was the first cab off the rank!

I think the boys' sound is very fine too - vibrant, clear and balanced with no amateur operatics. Although I'm not a huge fan of Maxwell Davies' harmonic palette, I thought the unfussy musicality of this performance really highlighted the music and text's gentle lyricism.

Brilliant playing in the voluntary too. Once again, so musical!

**ardcarp** · 05-12-12, 22:49

I'm heartily sick of the sort of farraginous choral dry ice that seems so popular at the moment, and this was a breath of fresh air.

Oh how I agree with you! (Even if I don't know what 'farraginous' means...is it to do with a farrago?) I really can't believe the number of young (and some not so young) composers jumping on this bandwagon. One would have thought a little originality...radicalism, even...might have been their watchwords.

Back to Wabbey. In fact I thought the ensemble and musicality of the choir were best in first and last items...a very sensitive account of the PMD piece, with back desks well under control. However the same could not IMHO be said of the psalms which are a feature of CE I always look forward to. Mrs Ardcarp shouted from the next room, "Untidy starts!". They seemed very 'in-your-face' today with too much growly organ up front. That unacc half-verse was a relief. And the organ didn't do breaks in between verses. OK that's a valid style, but I was glad when they were over. But I enjoyed the final hymn, especially RQ's fiddling about and that big pedal blast on the first note of the final verse. It's a great tune.

**Simon Biazeck** · 05-12-12, 23:23

Originally posted by ardcarp View Post

Oh how I agree with you! (Even if I don't know what 'farraginous' means...is it to do with a farrago?) I really can't believe the number of young (and some not so young) composers jumping on this bandwagon. One would have thought a little originality...radicalism, even...might have been their watchwords.

Back to Wabbey. In fact I thought the ensemble and musicality of the choir were best in first and last items...a very sensitive account of the PMD piece, with back desks well under control. However the same could not IMHO be said of the psalms which are a feature of CE I always look forward to. Mrs Ardcarp shouted from the next room, "Untidy starts!". They seemed very 'in-your-face' today with too much growly organ up front. That unacc half-verse was a relief. And the organ didn't do breaks in between verses. OK that's a valid style, but I was glad when they were over. But I enjoyed the final hymn, especially RQ's fiddling about and that big pedal blast on the first note of the final verse. It's a great tune.

Yes, indeed, a farrago (hotch-potch). I won't name names, but accentuating the positive (as ever) I thought Francis's motet was ideal in so many ways - as a setting of the text, for sheer vocality and structurally too. Not easy, mind, but as you suggest, no bad thing if the ideas and technique are strong. I know they were working hard on this and the Max piece, so it really paid off.

I like the vigorous 'schwung' of the chanting at the Abbey these days, but it's such a personal thing, isn't it? I was weaned on an ultra-tidy style (and not much else!) at St. Paul's, Melbourne under June Nixon, and then I discovered the so-called 'continental sound' (albeit in different rep.) as exemplified by Westminster Cathedral Choir in the late '80's. Now I enjoy elements of both - more interesting for my taste.

**Finzi4ever** · 06-12-12, 16:08

odd comment, I grant you, in view of all the fine performances (not least the Nunc, for me), but I was really taken with the reading of the second lesson - sounded like a sultry Kit Hesketh-Harvey.

PS Not heard farraginous since days spent with Juvenal (lanx satura - which is paella to most of us)

**DracoM** · 09-12-12, 18:25

Second hearing of the PMD anthem. I still think it needs a bit more saltiness, more edge, but it felt more accessible and singable this time round. If it becomes a regular repertoire piece, it will be interesting to see how DOMs shape it differently, maybe? Maybe quicken the speed? Make the trebles sing up a bit more?

**Simon** · 09-12-12, 19:01

Originally posted by Simon Biazeck View Post

The Grier introit is excellent - more of this solid, sincere writing, please.

Good to be able to agree with this. I waited for the PMD work with some trepidation - and then thoroughly enjoyed it. You get so used to the same formulaic 7ths and 2nds with no melodic glue to hold it all together, that when a really enjoyable and approachable piece, with no pretensions, comes along, it's almost a surprise. Great also to hear the Schutz.

I wouldn't be quite as enthusiastic about the brilliance of the whole service, especially the balance, as SB: there were a few rough edges, and the silly way the organ plays through the psalms was quite clearly shown up for its silliness during its brief period of silence, when the choir sounded much better on its own.

Nonetheless it was a real feast of varied and lovely music, very well performed, and I for one am grateful to Wabbey for putting it on for us.

CE Westminster Abbey December 5th 2012

CE Westminster Abbey December 5th 2012

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