This year has been, for me, a feast of listening to fine choral singing. And all from educational establishments I attended!
In October I was present at both appearances of King’s college choir in Rome. They sang at a concert in Santa Maria Maggiore and at high Mass in St Peter’s basilica. Needless to say this mythical choir, combined with the location’s magnificent architecture, transported me to a heaven-like universe. (Both occasions may be searched for in posts on my blog).
Another ecstatic universe of quite a different sort was present when I heard the same choir at Evensong in their regal perpendicular gothic chapel at Cambridge.
Last night I heard my old school choir sing at a carol service in Southwark cathedral, London’s oldest gothic building.
The cathedral continues to inspire, as Renzo Piano’s Shard nearby cunningly attests.
The evening opened with fine organ playing and then followed that magic instance when a lone treble voice starts singing ‘once in royal David’s city’s.
The carols had brilliant splashes of brass and drums but there were also beautiful quiet moments like my favourite Harold Darke setting of Cristina Rossetti’s poem ‘In the bleak mid-winter.’ Here is a sample of that carol sung by the King’s choir:
I also loved the section the choir sang of Rachmaninov’s vespers.
The Dean gave both a witty and profound address. After all, it was this same year that islamic terrorists tried to change Londoner’s lives but were shot dead just outside the cathedral walls.
Edward Alleyn, actor and friend of Shakespeare who had his theatre near the cathedral, founded the ‘College of God’s Gift’ in 1619.
I realise how lucky I was to have attended both Dulwich and King’s college as pupil and student. In both cases it was due to scholarships and grants as my family wasn’t exactly rich.
Listening to and singing along in last night’s Carol concert was for me a celebration, not just of the festive season, but also of fine singing and a recollection of how lucky I was to have been brought up at a time where governments and local authorities actually encouraged young people to further their education through merit rather than through money.
Choirs alight with sound
echoing in vaulted naves:
heaven’s doors open.
The shard looks most beautiful in the evening all lit and in juxtaposition to Southwark Cathedral seems quite magical. I actually witnessed the comtruction of this building from the basement offices of Ipsos Mori where I worked for several years. A dramatic highlight was when a fox got trapped on the ninth floor of the shard but was finally rescued safely. I loved visiting this Cathedral in my breaks for private and quiet moments and to see the Shakespeare and Gower Memorials also sometimes choir rehearsals. The Dulwich College Carol Concert really excelled in both singing and instrumentals and quite frankly set the mood for the Christmas Festivities or Winter Festival already started by the Hindu Festival of Light or Diwali.
Thanks for your perceptive comment.
Thanks for your perceptive comment.
The shard looks most beautiful in the evening all lit and in juxtaposition to Southwark Cathedral seems quite magical. I actually witnessed the construction of this building from the basement offices of Ipsos Mori where I worked for several years. A dramatic highlight was when a fox got trapped on the ninth floor of the shard but was finally rescued safely. I loved visiting this Cathedral in my breaks for private and quiet moments and to see the Shakespeare and Gower Memorials also sometimes choir rehearsals. The Dulwich College Carol Concert really excelled in both singing and instrumentals and quite frankly set the mood for the Christmas Festivities or Winter Festival already started by the Hindu Festival of Light or Diwali.