Categories: uncategorized
Date: 28 June 2009 20:04:53
We experienced church in a rather different way this week. Having two Sundays off from our normal commitments, in order to travel to St. Andrews Graduation Week, meant no singing but the chance instead to listen to two university chapel choirs. At the Graduation Service in St. Salvator's Chapel, the red-robed choir sang from the balcony. Confident young voices sang Howells' Magnificat (Gloucester Service), some wonderful descants to the hymns and a glorious choral final 'Amen', before entertaining us with a lighter programme (folk songs) at the actual Graduation. 'Hosanna to the Son of David' (Weelkes) and 'Timor et tremor' (Poulenc) started off the varied Graduation Recital at the end of a long day. I think the choir definitely earned their free board and lodgings for staying on an extra week after term ended. The atmospheric Candlelit Compline at St. Leonard's Chapel (surely Harry Potter was meant to be set here?), with a choir led by one of the students, happened late at night so my attention unfortunately wandered. The Tudor introit was introduced in a thick Scottish accent, so I didn't catch the name, and didn't recognise it when it was sung. Balfour Gardiner's 'Evening Hymn' was sung in Latin with a beautifully lush tone - when sung well this always makes me think I am slowly sinking into pillows of velvet. To match the beauty of the singing, and send us on our way in peace, was the three-minute silence at the end of the prayers.