CE King's College, Cambridge 1.v.13

[Miles Coverdale]

It was an enterprising CE, and I enjoyed the orchestral colour very much...with the possible exception of the Wesley. I can't quite explain why. It's a staple of the repertoire which I suppose we all love, but to be frank, it's a slightly rambling piece and maybe doesn't quite deserve the full treatment.

The trouble with the Wesley is that it takes 15 minutes to say what could quite as easily be said in five.

[ardcarp]

Yes, but wouldn't it be nice to extend it to,say, 20 minutes by expanding on the 'parts of the body' bit?

[Simon]

The trouble with the Wesley is that it takes 15 minutes to say what could quite as easily be said in five.

That may well be true of Ascribe, MC, and perhaps to another couple of his longer pieces - but I think it's unfair to Wesley in general.


Ardcarp

What has SKV to do with your post?

[Vox Humana]

Good psalm singing to traditional Anglican Chant is a joy (except perhaps on the 15th)

Especially on the 15th!

[AscribeUntoTheLad]

Yes, but wouldn't it be nice to extend it to,say, 20 minutes by expanding on the 'parts of the body' bit?

Perhaps we could cut it down to five by removing the rest of it (most of which is not exactly inspired) and taking turns at coming up with different bits of anatomy.

[chitreb]

I can't help wondering why just Psalm 149 on the 2nd evening, but no doubt there'll be some reason if I bothered to look for it.

According to the Book of Common Prayer Psalm 149 is one of the Psalms listed as appropriate to Saints Days - Philip & James in this case (1st May).

[Philip]

Ascribe may not seem as exciting as some of the more contemporary music we enjoy, but for its time it was probably quite revolutionary, and SSW laid a lot of the foundations which the likes of Wood, Stanford and then later Howells built on. By all accounts church music in the early 19th century was really struggling, and he did a lot to help it move forward.

[Simon]

According to the Book of Common Prayer Psalm 149 is one of the Psalms listed as appropriate to Saints Days - Philip & James in this case (1st May).

Thank you, chitreb.

I can never understand why any foundation would wish to substitute Saint's Days' Psalms for the regular evening ones. The Psalms are an absolute joy, both as regards the words and, often enough, the chants. It was rare that we did it - only on major feasts, IIRC.

[Wolsey]

I can never understand why any foundation would wish to substitute Saint's Days' Psalms for the regular evening ones.

??

Are you not aware of Proper Psalms and their use?

[jean]

These low church people don't have much truck with Saints.

[mopsus]

Listening again, a frivolous thought occurred to me - is this the first time a xylophone has been heard on a Choral Evensong broadcast?

[Simon]

??

Are you not aware of Proper Psalms and their use?

Well of course I am. But not every foundation automatically substitutes on every possible occasion. As I believe I mentioned somewhere, we didn't - and were glad, because we very much enjoyed singing the psalms. In fact, one distinguished visitor once told us that he'd never heard them better sung...

And Jean is quite right, of course - though said foundation has moved "up" a bit since my time. (...he commented, leading with his chin. )