CE St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh 4th Sept

[DracoM]

CE St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh
The Charles Wood Festival of Music and Summer School



Order of Service:



Responses: Rose
Psalms: 22, 23 (Camidge; Hylton Stewart)
First Lesson: Isaiah 57: 4-21
Canticles: Collegium Regale (Wood)
Second Lesson: Luke 14: 15-24
Anthem: For lo, I raise up (Stanford)
Festival Te Deum (Britten)



Organ Voluntary: Presto comodo (Organ Sonata in G, Op 28) (Elgar)



Philip Scriven (Organist)
David Hill (Music Director)

[decantor]

I would like to register my thanks, Draco, for your reliable posting of the details of each CE, The info itself is readily available, of course, but it seems to me only right and proper that, if we have a Choir forum, each CE should have its own thread headed by its music scheme.

I appreciate too your weekly comments on each broadcast – understandably less detailed than in the past. It is sad that such general comments so easily become disputatious when they are honestly intended – clearly, many to whom the choral tradition is dear (such as myself) no longer feel able to post their thoughts regularly, for whatever reasons; in consequence, the thread either stalls completely or veers off into specialist corners. I’d like to think that your efforts in the forum might one day bear more ample fruit - to the benefit of all.

As for this week - well, it's good to see Philip Scriven's name on a service sheet again.

[DracoM]

Most kind. Ardcarp and I take genuine pleasure in facilitating the exchange. You are indeed right that on the whole, we have tended to take more of a back seat and let others blow assorted trumpets while they grind various axes [ mixed metaphor alert!].

But 'twas ever thus. The choral fraternity is nothing if not inclined to be a tad disputatious but I'd not have it any other way.

What holds us all together is, as you so rightly say, a commitment to and love of a tradition based on fine, disciplined singing, structured worship and innovative musical mosaic.

[mw963]

Most kind. Ardcarp and I take genuine pleasure in facilitating the exchange. You are indeed right that on the whole, we have tended to take more of a back seat and let others blow assorted trumpets while they grind various axes [ mixed metaphor alert!].

But 'twas ever thus. The choral fraternity is nothing if not inclined to be a tad disputatious but I'd not have it any other way.

What holds us all together is, as you so rightly say, a commitment to and love of a tradition based on fine, disciplined singing, structured worship and innovative musical mosaic.

Interesting to read this. I for one have been totally discouraged from posting here due to the (at times) peevish and (occasionally) downright patronising responses from certain self-appointed experts who frequent this part of the forum. I don't for a second doubt their expertise but they wear their knowledge somewhat heavily.

So maybe what has been written above might bring a little balm to this part of the forum - I do hope so, because once a discussion board starts to die it's difficult to reverse the process.

I hope what I've written will be accepted in the spirit in which it's offered; it's certainly NOT meant to inflame the situation.

But it's quite noticeable that certain people have been conspicuous by their absence, people who know a great deal but presumably have also been discouraged.

Now back to the Elgar!

[DracoM]

Please do NOT feel discouraged. Yes, indeed, there are those who have special pleadings, and we know how to aim off for those, but ALL shades and divisions of opinion are welcomed, Think of some posters as sleeping policemen - a bump in but not the road entire. The cause in the round for which we are all here is greater than that.

[jean]

... Yes, indeed, there are those who have special pleadings, and we know how to aim off for those...

What does that mean, please?

Is it a translation from the Norwegian?

[DracoM]

Not Norwegian. It means that there are some few with particular interests strongly expressed who like to excite similar responses. They are just a part of the general warp and weft.

[Oldcrofter]

Yes, Jean, the original Norwegian was:

Ja, ja, det er de som har spesielle prosesskrift, og vi vet hvordan å sikte seg for dem

But "we" are 'aiming off' - i.e. ahead of them, anticipating those who have 'special pleadings' and hitting them between the eyes - at least, that may be what it means

Not sure of the significance of 'special pleadings', though - personal involvement in the service ?

[Philip]

Just had a listen through and found it a very enjoyable service and a lovely sound throughout. Highlights for me were the wonderful Stanford anthem and a fabulous voluntary at the end. I'm not a Britten fan and this piece did nothing to change that, and I think the Wood setting is a little dreary in places, although the Gloria is very good. I was hoping for some 32' reed at the end of the Nunc and Mr Scriven did not disappoint! Always good to hear the Rose responses as well - they take some beating.

Well done to all involved.

[DracoM]

Agreed.

Robust, confident singing, some well-judged solos. Wood canticles won't convert me either, and the anthem was probably the best thing heard. I like the Britten well enough, but I've never really thought of his Te Deum as terribly 'festive'. Seems to end a bit lamely. But the vol made up for that. Nicely played, Mr Scriven.

[Op. XXXIX]

Terrific service. (I have a sticky on my desktop to listen again tomorrow evening!)

Time seemed to almost stand still in the psalms, and perhaps I like the Wood better than others here.

The readings from Luke grabbed my attention, and then moving on to Stanford, Britten and Elgar, this service just gathered strength. Cannot wait till tomorrow evening when I'll have more time to listen in a more generous time frame.

Many thanks to all.

[ardcarp]

It was indeed a lovely CE, beautifully directed, and good to have the Hill/Scriven team back again. Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of the Charles Wood Summer School? It was announced as a sort of choir course, but the choir was introduced as The Charles Wood Singers. There seemed to be some quite mature voices among them, so not all of student age to my ears anyway.

[Finzi4ever]

[QUOTE=Philip;328161]Just had a listen through and found it a very enjoyable service and a lovely sound throughout. Highlights for me were the wonderful Stanford anthem and a fabulous voluntary at the end. I'm not a Britten fan and this piece did nothing to change that, and I think the Wood setting is a little dreary in places, although the Gloria is very good. I was hoping for some 32' reed at the end of the Nunc and Mr Scriven did not disappoint! Always good to hear the Rose responses as well - they take some beating.

ok, dreary in a few places maybe, but surely you can wallow along with the rest of us in that gloriously predictable and caramelised sequence in the A-mens?
I still love (& honestly relish) the big, fat CEs with this kind of nostalgic repertoire, in preference to the 'now here is our opportunity to show off how good we are with cutting-edge modernism'.

[Philip]

ok, dreary in a few places maybe, but surely you can wallow along with the rest of us in that gloriously predictable and caramelised sequence in the A-mens?
I still love (& honestly relish) the big, fat CEs with this kind of nostalgic repertoire, in preference to the 'now here is our opportunity to show off how good we are with cutting-edge modernism'.

Indeed, hence my comment about the Gloria

[Philip]

It was indeed a lovely CE, beautifully directed, and good to have the Hill/Scriven team back again. Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of the Charles Wood Summer School? It was announced as a sort of choir course, but the choir was introduced as The Charles Wood Singers. There seemed to be some quite mature voices among them, so not all of student age to my ears anyway.

I do know from Facebook that a number of choral scholars from St Mary's, Nottingham were involved (including one standing on her watch!), so they are certainly student age, but I'm not sure if that is the norm. I did try the CWSS website yesterday, but it brought me a load of coding!