Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 July 2005 17:36:39
This Sunday was the start of the Exon Singers Festival Week. On Sunday morning we were on our own, singing 'Here O my Lord' by Whitlock and then we were joined by the Exon Singers for Festival Evensong. Several of the choir almost got cold feet at the last minute, as the music was not our usual fare, and other enticing events were on offer. However, 16 of us eventually turned up for the afternoon rehearsal and service - about the usual number for Evensong. It was much easier singing the Mag and Nunc (Bairstow in D), and 'A Prayer of John Donne' by Francis Jackson, with good strong voices behind us, and Matthew Owens (Wells Cathedral) conducting. 'Save us O Lord' (Bairstow) is a regular anthem for us - surprisingly this sounded the weakest item, to my ears anyway.
Francis Jackson is the composer-in-residence this year (at the grand old age of 88), so there will be several more of his compositions as the week progresses. His 'Nunc Dimittis in Bb' (First Performance) was sung at Compline last night, making a rich contrast with the all-male plainsong. This followed a sequence of music and readings to mark the 60th Anniversaries of VE and VJ days - many varied readings interspersed with music from Faure's Requiem. Altogether a poignant programme.
The Tuesday lunchtime organ recital was by Peter Wright (Southwark Cathedral), including music by Vierne, Bach and Jackson. Several items were quiet and soporific, so I almost nodded off, but fortunately the final item (funnily enough called 'Final' from Symphony no 1, by Vierne) brought me back to life. It's hard to doze off to the majestic emphasis of Vierne.