CE Wakefield Cathedral Sept 25th 2013

[DracoM]

CE Wakefield Cathedral



Order of Service:



Introit: Factum est silentium (Dering)
Responses: Philip Moore
Office Hymn: Christ, the fair glory (Coelites plaudant)
Psalms 119: 73-104 (Walker; Vann; Hopkins; Parry)
First Lesson: 1 Chronicles 29: 10-19
Canticles: Day in B flat
Second Lesson: Colossians 3: 12-17
Anthem: Faire is the heaven (Harris)
Final Hymn: Angel-voices ever singing (Angel Voices)



Organ Voluntary: Rhapsody No.3 in C sharp minor (Howells)



Simon Earl (Assistant Director of Music)
Thomas Moore (Director of Music)

[ardcarp]

I haven't heard CE yet. Has anyone else?

[DracoM]

Robust, forthright stuff. Choir at their best when singing loud and fast. Oddly for me one of the best sequences was the Moore Responses which was probably the most demanding music but given crisp, dramatic life. Psalms occasionally exposed nerves, but all in all a confident outing.

[ardcarp]

I really enjoyed this CE and it is good to know that Wakefield maintains both its standards and its commitment to 'proper' cathedral music. The musical direction was IMO really excellent, and there was not only a good blended choral sound but a certain 'esprit de choir'. I guess it was a mixed choir, and it was good to hear young female voices 'trained' to sing with a natural unforced sound. As a group they were capable of considerable 'wellie' when needed, yet there were carefully controlled dynamics. I thought the solo and trio bits in the Day (haven't heard Edgar for ages) were charming. I agree with Draco that they had really nailed the Moore ressponses. Thanks, Wakefield for a great broadcast. And you managed not to be deterred by the noises off. I imagine the cathedral authorities did not wish to close off their newly styled nave to all-comers during the broadcast...including toddlers!

[chitreb]

Having made some comments on the Hereford thread about welcoming a sense of place and hearing regional accents, there was little doubt here that we were a long way north of Watford (Gap). A delightful service, well sung and with pretty good balance, tone and intonation.

[NTR]

The service was indeed sung by girl's voices, the full tone comes from the equal spread of the front-row ages running from 9 to 18 years. The girls finishing at the end of their A levels. The back rows used were entirely Wakefield gents.
The boys are in great shape and fully recruited. Being only two weeks into the new year tipped the job towards the girls this time, a boys and men broadcast is more than viable.

[ardcarp]

Thanks for the inside picture, NTR, and welcome if we haven't met you before.
Good to hear that all is go at Wakefield!