Categories: uncategorized
Date: 21 February 2009 16:17:22
Taking a weekend off from singing, we took a trip to Lincoln Cathedral to hear others singing instead. A glorious, music-filled busman's holiday. We spotted the 'Lincoln Imp' high above the chancel, and thought we spotted a few imps preparing to enter the choir stalls as well - although their behavior was impeccable once they processed in and started to sing. It is a long time since I've attended a Choral Mattins, so I've really missed the morning canticles. It was a relief to realise I've remembered all the words, even if the Cathedral choir had to do the singing for me. (Settings and Anthem 'O hearken thou' by Elgar, Ayleward responses). I noticed the consistently clipped endings when the choir were singing Anglican chant, in marked contrast to the drawn-out sound of the Oxford colleges.
Evensong saw the admission of two junior choristers into the stalls, a ceremony which was taken seriously by all concerned. The Purcell setting (G minor) and anthem 'O sing unto the Lord' demonstrated the strong confident voices of the choristers, who sang with a beautifully clear tone.
At the end of the week, another treat was in store - a visit to the Bodleian Library Exhibition of 'The British Choral Tradition', running until April completely free of charge. It was riveting to look at the displays of original copies of the Eton Choirbook, autographed scores and first editions, and to listen to original recordings from the beginning of last century. Despite choral music having a chequered history, it is still going strong and long may it do so. I would recommend a visit to the exhibition by all interested in British Choral music through the centuries.