Ridout Psalm settings for Canterbury Cathedral

[ArpSchnitger]

Leafing through an RSCM Collection of photocopiable resources looking for ideas for next term, I came across a setting of words from Ps 103 (Common Worship) by Philip Moore, that was in an accompanied plainsong with unaccompanied fauxbourdon style, but based on a modern tone rather than any of i-viii. It revived something well buried in my memory, occasionally hearing similar through-composed Psalm settings from Canterbury Cathedral in broadcasts during the 1980s, and if my memory serves me right, by Alan Ridout, who would have been a sort of 'composer in residence', or at least who wrote a lot for Allan Wicks and the choir. A setting of Psalm 8 particularly seems to stick in my mind.
(I just ponder if the settings were in fact written earlier than the 1980s and were contemporary with Philip Moore's time at Canterbury, given his published setting bears similar hallmarks)

Does anyone else remember these through-composed 'modern-plainsong' psalm settings (if that's what they were)? I'd be interested to know if any were published- my church are looking at ways of exploring and focusing upon the psalms musically in the morning eucharist next year using a variety of musical styles- so not just Anglican chant, but plainsong, responsorial, spoken with background accompaniment, versified hymn etc, and this looks another interesting avenue to explore.

[Simon]

I suspect they would have been written, mostly, prior to the 1980s. Ridout wrote some amazing stuff, his organ works in particular. His finest choral work, for me, is his "Sacred Songs", which quite seriously matches anything by Britten of that ilk, and has Howells influences shining through, though perhaps without the interwoven lines that Howells did better than anyone. Not surprising, perhaps, given that HH was his teacher...

As regards the Psalm settings, there are several of various kinds: it's clear that he produced a considerable amount of music, most of which I doubt is heard much now. Canterbury is probably where it's sung most often, of course. Some from copies, rather than published sheet music.

But better ask Gabriel - he was there in those early days, beruffed and becassocked, with beaming smile and short back and sides...

[Gabriel Jackson]

I suspect they would have been written, mostly, prior to the 1980s. Ridout wrote some amazing stuff, his organ works in particular. His finest choral work, for me, is his "Sacred Songs", which quite seriously matches anything by Britten of that ilk, and has Howells influernces shining through, though perhaps without the interwoven lines that Howells did better than anyone. Not surprising, perhaps, given that HH was his teacher...

As regards the Psalm settings, there are several of various kinds: it's clear that he produced a considerable amount of music, most of which I doubt is heard much now. Canterbury will be where it's sung most often, of course. Some from copies, rather than published sheet music.

Better ask Gabriel - he was there in those early days, beruffed and becassocked, with beaming smile and short back and sides...

Indeed, Simon, and I studied with Alan Ridout as a child. He had attached thick felt (i think...) to the hammers of his piano, dampening the sound to near-audibility, so it sounded as if it was in his head, he said. He chain-smoked and never appeared to open the windows so there was a perpetual fug in his flat at No 5, Burgate. (An aside: as well as Herbert Howells, Ridout's teachers included Henk Badings, who had been denounced as a collaborator in occupied Holland...)

As Simon says Alan Ridout was incredibly prolific, and (inevitably?) rather uneven. Some of his music was never published and most of what was is out of print. I don't remember the piece in question (which is not to say we didn't sing it)...tracking it down might be tricky...I believe there is some sort of Ridout archive at Ampleforth, where he spent a lot of time in his later years.

[Gabriel Jackson]

It revived something well buried in my memory, occasionally hearing similar through-composed Psalm settings from Canterbury Cathedral in broadcasts during the 1980s, and if my memory serves me right, by Alan Ridout, who would have been a sort of 'composer in residence', or at least who wrote a lot for Allan Wicks and the choir.

He certainly was at one time, and even wrote a series of operas for the choristers as well as lots of choral and organ music for Allan, as you say, but his relationship with Canterbury Cathedral was somewhat tempestuous. He was a bitter opponent of the closure of the Choir School in 1971 (it was the best thing that could have happened to the choristers by that time, as it happens) and behaved very badly over it, resulting in a rift which was never fully healed.

[ArpSchnitger]

Apologies for not replying earlier and thanking Simon & Gabriel for replies- seasonal commitments rather intervened.

Doing a little sorting, I came across an old box of tapes from the 1980s which contained recordings of many BBC Choral Evensongs from the time. Lo and behold if near the top I should find the following:
Choral Evensong direct from Canterbury Cathedral, Friday 1st Feb 1985
Introit: Lumen ad revelationem (Byrd)
Responses; Ridout
Psalms 6,7,8 (Plainsong according to RT, by Ridout according to announcer)
OH: All prophets hail thee
Canticles: Tippett Sancti Johannes Cantabrigense
Anthem: Senex Puerum Portabat (Byrd)
Hymn: To us a child of royal birth
Organ: Lumen ad Revelationem Op48 no6 (Dupré)
Organist: Allan Wicks
Assistant Organist: David Flood

I have attempted to transfer the psalms to computer- somehow between the tapedeck and computer stereo has turned to mono, and it's a bit crackly- R3 FM reception at the time, I shouldn't be surprised, but it's still an interesting discovery to share, I hope.
(on the B side is CE from Westminster Abbey on the 33rd anniversary of the Queen's accession- how time flies!)

Listen to Psalms 6,7,8 here.

[ardcarp]

Nothing to do with Ridout or Canterbury, but to hear some truly atmospheric plainsong (with occasional fauxbourdon) try:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnAbh3Bzzy0