St Paul's Cathedral - archive broadcast

[secret squirrel]

...and to think that "in my day" , those volumes found use too as part of a well-balanced diaphragm training regime to boot!

[ardcarp]

...as opposed to 'my day' when weightier volumes were used to belabour recalcitrant choristers !!

[Magnificat]

I rarely bother looking on here now, and this is exactly the kind of thing that reminds me why. I don't think I'm alone in finding your continuing denigration of Christopher Dearnley extremely regrettable. Surely even you can see that asking hypothetical questions about events involving deceased people that took place 30 years ago is beyond pointless. Are you hoping someone will jump up and confirm that, in fact, Barry was so marvellous no other musician could bear to be in the building with him?

Caussade

I cannot let this ridiculous comment go unanswered.

I have never denigrated Christopher Dearnley in any way whatsoever.

Because I found it strange that John Scott was conducting the choir as sub - organist when CD was in charge at the time of this archive broadcast I merely mentioned the fact that I remembered reading an obituary at the time of his death ( I thought by John Scott but apparently it was not ) that stated that he had lost his confidence as a choir director after Barry Rose's departure and had left the choir training at St Paul's to John Scott and Andrew Lucas.

Wolsey and others thought this very unlikely and criticised me for even mentioning it.

Now SS tells us that CD directed the choir for a year after BR left and then JS took it over well before this archive broadcast in 1988 which, frankly, it seems to me confirms very much what I had read and have been told could not possibly be the case. Why should I not point this out?

SS mentioned the excellent record produced by CD and JS with the choir in 1984/85. The fact of the matter is that the choir at that time was effectively Barry Rose's and he is entitled to some credit for it surely.

SS.

I originally posted also in answer to ardcarp to say what I knew about , as you so appropriately call it, the muddy transition at St Paul's after BR left.

I wouldn't expect that you knew anything at all about the reasons for what was going on in the music department at St Paul's but you certainly confirmed my original observation that CD had apparently given up the choir to JS some time before he retired in 1990.

I'm sure CD was a very fine musician and did a lot of good work at St Paul's. I've never said otherwise.

VCC

[Wolsey]

BMR joined as Sub Organist in 1974 and in 1977 became formally "Sub Organist and Master of the Choristers" until his [very untimely] 'resignation' in 1984; yet all the while CHD was "Organist" since his appointment (from Salisbury) a few years earlier (late 60s?) to his retirement (in 1990?).

Barry Rose was Master of the Choir from 1977 - 1984. I also agree with Secret Squirrel's comment concerning Christopher Dearnley (for whom I turned pages - aged 12 - at an inaugural organ recital he give in 1971): please give it a rest and leave the memory of a fine and respected musician be.

[Magnificat]

Barry Rose was Master of the Choir from 1977 - 1984. I also agree with Secret Squirrel's comment concerning Christopher Dearnley (for whom I turned pages - aged 12 - at an inaugural organ recital he give in 1971): please give it a rest and leave the memory of a fine and respected musician be.

Wolsey,

I certainly will not be saying any more about this subject; but get this straight I will not be accused of saying things or implying things that I have never done by you or any one else.

VC

[Mr Stoat]

CD had complete mastery of the St Paul's organ (I believe his piston settings are still set) Perhaps he felt that it was better for one person to focus on the playing in view of the complexities of the instrument and the building?

[inquires]

Just a quick thank you to all those who enjoyed my website, 'www.inquiresandplaces.com' or the shorter name to type 'www.quires.org.uk' It was gratifying to have a flurry of compliments! The sound files should all be working but if anyone has a problem, drop me a line via the contact page and I'll try to sort it out. And of course, if anyone has recordings of interest, do let me know!

[inquires]

I know, but if you hovered your mouse over the pictures of the LP covers those arrows appeared which seemed to indicate a sound file. Too much to hope for I guess.

There is no sound on the LP covers but when you access that page of the website, All Saints Margaret Street will automatically play as you watch the slide show of the LP covers. There are various sound files on most pages and a page full of sound files, all of which are in perfect working order, as I have just checked! And yes, it's my website!

[inquires]

No doubt you all know this website, but just in case....

http://www.inquiresandplaces.com/

Girls Choirs don't seem to figure, though !!

Girls Choirs don't figure; as the home page states, my collection is of choirs and Gentlemen and Boys singing in the English Cathedral tradition.