CE Chapel of Magdalen College, Oxford June 20th 2012

[Magnificat]

I'm really looking forward to this. Now I wonder if Magdalen have been nurturing a closet girls' choir just to confuse the punters?

ardcarp

Apropos recent discussions elsewhere. If I had not known it was boys on the top line I would have enjoyed the singing just as much but I would not have had the added and immediate enjoyment of recognising Daniel Hyde's developing skill as a trainer of boys voices. A talent to be watched I think.

Last week we had Byrd in the vastness of York Minster this week Howells in Magdalen's small chapel a place ideally suited to something from the Golden Age. It will be great to hear the choir singing some of this in future under Mr Hyde's assured direction.

VCC

[DracoM]

I think VCC has an interesting point here: horses and courses.

Byrd in York, Howells in Oxford. Given the acoustics / spaces etc in each, seems a bit counter-intuitive! Except that if the policy of Howells only in big spaces, and Byrd in smaller intimate spaces were to become rampant, we'd hear less of both! What is fascinating is how it gives us a chance to hear 'big' music like Howells in a more analytic even clinical space, and the smaller scale but satisfyingly complex Byrd in a big mixing pot.

What sort of bases / factors do DoMs have to / choose to take into account when selecting their repertoire? OK, liturgical / specific seasonal factors of course, but in the routine, everyday of a foundation, what prompts them in particular directions?

I know of one distinguished DoM who has over this year made it a policy to sing more Bach, Gibbons and Purcell motets than usual. He says that this year he knew he had tour commitments that indicated that kind of repertoire, but also, looking at the choir potential, he knew in advance that there were three or so lads who had solo potential, particularly good back rows as well, all of whom he wanted to give the chance to sing verse anthems with their solo / small group ensemble opportunities.

Lest it be misunderstood [ for one reason or another !], I am in no way criticising either Robert Sharpe at York nor Daniel Hyde at MCO for their choice. Just seemed an interesting topic to have emerged out of the last two weeks' CEs.

[ardcarp]

I got back late last night, having driven for 7 hours, crept into bed without disturbing a warm and gently snoring Mrs Ardcarp, shoved on the 'cans', fired up the i-player and had a most pleasing evensong experience courtesy of Magdalen. I can't express how much I enjoyed it. It was good, uncomplicated singing, and I have to say that I do find a 'choral scholar' back row very satisfactory...even if it lacks solo experience. MCO's altos were especially fine I thouht, fine in the sense that they were 'there' but not obtrusive.

The organ may not be what one expects for Finzi or Howells, but it was most sensitively played. And the chapel's acoustic, whilst not cavernous is not too dry either. Howells in B minor is probably the most sensible Howells for that set-up. And LTFFS was done with more clarity and careful preparation than one often hears. I would like more to have been made of the scruumy final Amen. It ended a longish piece in a slightly peremptory fashion, I thought, but I'm splitting hairs.

It's a while since I roamed Oxford popping into MCO and NCO, The contrast between them then was stark. MCO was ultra smart and drilled but sang, how shall I say, with a sense of duty. Whilst NCO was a bit shambolic [is that how you spell it?] but exuded musicality and verve. I felt a definite sense of musicality and verve coming over the aether in the wee small hours this morning.

Thanks, Magdalen.

[Roger Judd]

It was indeed, IMO, a beautifully sung service, and every aspect clearly prepared with much care - I felt drawn into the act of worship being offered in the Chapel that afternoon in a way that doesn't always happen. The music was chosen with an equal amount of thought too, from Christopher Robinson's characterful little introit (dedicated to the memory of my distinguished predecessor at Windsor, John Porter), through Howells in B minor, one of my favourites among his output, to the glorious Finzi, whose performance and direction was of the highest quality.

Ben Giddens (another member of the ex-Windsor organ-loft fraternity!) partnered the choir with great sensitivity, and ear for colour, on the somewhat modest instrument in the chapel. I was especially pleased to hear the voluntary, which by strange coincidence I'm playing in recitals shortly, but have never heard anyone else play previously - it is a fine piece.

Thank you, Magdalen.
RJ

[Simon Biazeck]

It was indeed, IMO, a beautifully sung service, and every aspect clearly prepared with much care - I felt drawn into the act of worship being offered in the Chapel that afternoon in a way that doesn't always happen.

I agree completely - well said!

[Roger Judd]

Re. Heathcote Statham - he was a chorister at St Michael's College, Tenbury Wells, and returned there some years later as Organist before going to Norwich Cathedral, via St Mary's Southampton.

While a student at Cambridge I got in touch with him and went over to Norwich to play the Cathedral organ - HS met me by the organ-loft in a great rush, thrust the keys into my hand, told me to 'make myself at home' while he nipped home to carry on watching the Test Match.

I recorded the Rhapsody at St Michael's on an LP, many years later, for dear old Harry Mudd' label.
RJ

[ardcarp]

Do people still sing Statham in E minor? Used to be a bit of a staple, but I can't recall seeing it lately on music lists.

[secret squirrel]

While a student at Cambridge I got in touch with him and went over to Norwich to play the Cathedral organ - HS met me by the organ-loft in a great rush, thrust the keys into my hand, told me to 'make myself at home' while he nipped home to carry on watching the Test Match.
RJ

Those were the days, egh? Two, possibly three channels on the box and most likely in black and white... but FREE TO AIR Test Matches !!!

My, how we have progressed: 100s of channels and no free cricket in sight bar Channel 5's (all be they very good) highlights....

Pish and tush, I say!

Funnily enough, I remember 'introducing' Norwich's organ to Nigel Kennedy one Sat morning when he was there to watch Villa vs Norwich in the '90s; he too was allowed to play, but under very strict supervision (as he would no doubt have supervised someone playing with his fiddle!).

Mine were happy days at Norwich and I have very fond memories.

[DracoM]

Second listening confirmed the good impression - diction in the psalms exemplary, Howells better than I first thought, and the Finzi was very accomplished singing.

[Simon]

A quick read through the various threads seems to indicate that I have missed a mixed bag. I'm looking forward to LA for this one.