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The Radio 3 Boards > The Radio 3 Boards > Radio 3 Specialist Programmes > Choral Music > CE from Rochester
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Author Topic: CE from Rochester  (Read 416 times)
barkofile
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Posts: 20
« on: 17:59:34, 04-03-2007 »
Introit: When David heard (Tomkins)
Responses: Tomkins
Office Hymn: O thou who camest from above (Hereford)
Psalm: 135 (Ashfield, Ley)
First Lesson: Jeremiah 22 vv1-9, 13-17
Canticles: St Paul's Service (Howells)
Second Lesson: Luke 14 vv27-33
Anthem: Te lucis ante terminum (Balfour Gardiner)
Final Hymn: Lead, kindly light (Alberta)
Organ Voluntary: Chant heroique (Langlais)

Organist and Director of Music: Roger Sayer
Sub-Organist and Assistant Director of Music: Daniel Soper
  [Organ Scholar:  Charles Andrews]

Seems it's up to me to do the honours this week...

I enjoyed the service -- yes, even the homily and parsonical chanting.  It was easy to imagine oneself into the cathedral.

The choir did well, especially if (as is stated on the website) there were only six Lay Clerks.  They achieved commendable clarity of diction in the psalms, and for the most part avoided mannerisms.  The treble tone was more 'naturalistic', less tightly focused than is sometimes the case elsewhere - this has the virtue of making the music more integral and intimate within the context of the liturgy, even if it also takes some of the thrill and theatricality out of the performance.

The service over-ran by five minutes - to their credit, the BBC did not fade the gloriously craggy Langlais voluntary.  Perhaps they did not dare when it was they who insisted on Sunday broadcasts, when the service is bound to be somewhat extended.
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DracoM
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Posts: 72
« Reply #1 on: 18:56:57, 04-03-2007 »
"Choral Evensong (Sung by Boys', Girls', Senior Girls' & Men's Voices)"

- from the Cathedral's own website showing the composition of the choir(s) - hence explaining the kinds of sounds we heard.

Looking at the geography of the cathedral is revealing. To any mb members at the service - did they all range themselves on the steps up to the Quire on the nave side? Might explain some aspects of the ...erm..."sound spectrum"? There's a pretty dry acoustic to sing into at Rochester - or that's the way it came over.

The Tomkins is one of my all time favourite anthems, deceptively difficult, beautiful counterpoint and overlapping anguish. Sung a touch tentatively on the top line I thought, but musically, and the tenors really carried it and altos cut through when it mattered. Nice planning to have the unaccompanied at the start and the 'big show piece' at the end, BTW.

My heart always goes out to any choir scaling the heights of the Howells St. Paul's Mag - it is a monster sing, with everybody flat out near the top of the register while the organ is hammering it out as well. Thrilling piece, brought off here pretty well - great stuff by Daniel Soper. Psalms were energetic, roisterous but a tad ragged to be honest. Not a terribly attractive chant, actually, IMHO, but quot homines etc. The Balfour Gardiner is a ripe old warhorse and everybody has jam, and they gave it full whack. One or two moments of insecure intonation and at one point the tempo got snagged - organ a fraction out with parts of the choir, some of whom sank into a bit of a plod, but the finale was highly effective.

Top prize to Charles Andrews and his stunning Langlais, brilliant registration, and stomping power. It is a show stopper, and how no-one clapped at the end of it, I'll never know!!

Judging by the published Sunday schedule for the choirs, Sunday Mar 4th has been a pretty knackering one! Many thanks to all concerned.
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George Garnett
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Posts: 3855
« Reply #2 on: 19:25:53, 04-03-2007 »
I was very impressed. I don't know Rochester at all and am ashamed to say wasn't even aware that they had such a fine choir. I was going to save this one for 'Listen Again' but caught the beginning of the Tomkins just after the 'Performing Britten' programme and was hooked and stayed for the whole service. A good, confident, and intelligent sing. Congratulations and thanks to all. 
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SimonSagt!
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Gender: Male
Posts: 205
« Reply #3 on: 18:15:47, 05-03-2007 »
I don't think many people were aware they had such a fine choir, GG! I certainly wasn't. From comments passed already between me and a few pals, I think the high standard caught a fair number by surprise. So that's great for the whole tradition.

As I said elsewhere: lovely service, fine singing & playing, great choice of rep.  Much credit due, IMHO.
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The Emperor suspected they were right. But he dared not stop and so on he walked, more proudly than ever. And his courtiers behind him held high the train... that wasn't there at all.
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