CE Birmingham Cathedral 12.12.12

[ArpSchnitger]

Was I right about some young-ish voices in the ATB?

Agree about younger sounding voices on back desks

Correct, the average age of the back row appeared quite low.

Having listened back to the recording, I was, probably not surprisingly, aware of rather more nuances in the organ accompaniments when present live, than in the recording, but otherwise I think the radio listener got a fairly true reflection of the 'live' experience.
In the much discussed Coll Reg Gloria, I think the lack of a 'con belto' approach worked well; I raised an eyebrow on the last chord, but actually it worked well in the building.

[chitreb]

I must be in a minority of one here but I thought the singing sounded "lazy" at times - as if they didn't really want to be there and were just going through the motions. Also, I thought the tenor solo was too loud relative to the chorus - probably an engineer adjusting the balance too much in favour of his microphone that live listeners in the cathedral would not have experienced. Notwithstanding these comments I did enjoy the service. It was also nice to see a picture on the R3 website that actually related to the broadcast rather than being an old shot of choristers (in Boston Lincs I understand?). Enjoyed the Jackson too. Are they related at all - Francis and Gabriel that is? I have just been listening to GJ's St Asaph Toccata. Stunning.

[Gabriel Jackson]

Enjoyed the Jackson too. Are they related at all - Francis and Gabriel that is? I have just been listening to GJ's St Asaph Toccata. Stunning.

No, we're not. Glad you enjoyed St Asaph though...Michael Bonaventure is amazing (I assume he was playing?).

[chitreb]

Yes it was Michael Bonaventure on the St Mary's Edinburgh CD.

[Gabriel Jackson]

Yes it was Michael Bonaventure on the St Mary's Edinburgh CD.

He's also recorded it on this http://sfzmusic.eu/cd-bonaventurevo.html (another great Michael Bonaventure recording - that whole series is very good, and very interesting)

[ardcarp]

but I thought the singing sounded "lazy" at times - as if they didn't really want to be there and were just going through the motions.

Well, things strike people in different ways! I think I can safely say that the frisson of a live broadcast seldom induces ennui in the participants.

[DracoM]

..........................and for me it certainly did not on this occasion either.