I don’t know where you are faith-wise, Neil, but to me a good choir is using their God-given talent to best effect, and can move one to tears of joy. I would recommend you try some of Will Todd’s music. It’s excellent. Thank you too for your recent piece on abortion. I nearly broke down reading it, but it had to be said.
Thank you for sharing this Neil. When you are in Westminster, and minus your small children, pop into Westminster Abbey for any of the evensong services! Very special to hear the music sung, recording is great but can't replace the experience of hearing it in person.
I am more positive about choirs in general, there are so many around the world as people love to sing together, though formal CoE choir singing is, yes, in decline along with the congregations (in general).
One music recommendation for you that is current and modern yet also pays homage to orchestral and choral styles, as well as many musical styles from around the world, is the absolutely stunning "Lux" by Rosalia, in which this magnificently gifted artist brings in collaborators from around the world and the 15 tracks include 13 different languages.
Her concerts at the O2 next month will be amazing.
Unfortunately the poll link doesn't offer the list itself. It would be a terrific service if you shared your playlist that you got from it (assuming it is more than the ones you mentioned). Thanks.
This is a delightful and heartfelt piece on a wonderful topic. I am always encouraged when I hear of MPs with real artistic and musical interest, particularly on a topic as important as this.
A few of my favourites are William Harris’ “Bring us O Lord God” or his classic “Faire is the Heaven”. I also find some of Orlando Gibbons’ work wonderful - either his more joyful “O clap your hands” (which pairs nicely with Vaughn Williams’ piece of the same name) or his “Drop, Drop Slow Tears” which is possibly one of the most beautiful works of Choral music ever written.
While on the topic it is worth noting the value of singing to communities - local choirs being people together and have a long and rich tradition. It is a great boost to health and well-being and has been delightful for me as a university student to break out of the student bubble into the wider community!
Lovely post. Do you know the choral music of Herbert Howells? Very distinctive and quite beautiful. His unaccompanied Requiem is gorgeous, as is the piece he wrote following the death of JFK: Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing.
And the English Renaissance composer Robert Parsons (1535-1572) wrote a celebrated Ave Maria with the most wonderful extended Amen I can think of.
Parson’s Ave Maria is magical- I first sang it as a teenager in my parish church choir 60 years ago. Howell’s “ Spotless Rose” carol reduces me to tears every Christmas and so on and on: I thank my stars that I was introduced to this wonderful world of music and have been able to sing it and hear it all these years. Another gift of Christianity.
I don’t know where you are faith-wise, Neil, but to me a good choir is using their God-given talent to best effect, and can move one to tears of joy. I would recommend you try some of Will Todd’s music. It’s excellent. Thank you too for your recent piece on abortion. I nearly broke down reading it, but it had to be said.
Thank you for sharing this Neil. When you are in Westminster, and minus your small children, pop into Westminster Abbey for any of the evensong services! Very special to hear the music sung, recording is great but can't replace the experience of hearing it in person.
Thanks for sharing this, Neil.
I am more positive about choirs in general, there are so many around the world as people love to sing together, though formal CoE choir singing is, yes, in decline along with the congregations (in general).
One music recommendation for you that is current and modern yet also pays homage to orchestral and choral styles, as well as many musical styles from around the world, is the absolutely stunning "Lux" by Rosalia, in which this magnificently gifted artist brings in collaborators from around the world and the 15 tracks include 13 different languages.
Her concerts at the O2 next month will be amazing.
Well, there's a lot of food for listening to. I'll get cracking.
Lovely celebration of choral music, thanks. Do share a Spotify playlist of your favourites please.
I'm not on Spotify sadly - the list in the replies above was where I started 👍
Thank you Neil O'Brien. Although I am a choral singer and have sung a number of the works you mention, you have considerably expanded my horizons.
Hurray!
Unfortunately the poll link doesn't offer the list itself. It would be a terrific service if you shared your playlist that you got from it (assuming it is more than the ones you mentioned). Thanks.
Though the playlists have now spiralled a bit the original list in the poll was:
X Allegri - Misereri
Brahms - Giestliches lied
X Gibbons - This is the record of John
X Purcell - Hear my prayer, O Lord
Lotti - Crucifixus (a8)
X Weelkes - Hosanna to the son of David
x Tomkins - O God the proud are risen
X Sumsion - They that go down to the sea in ships
X Naylor - Vox dicentis clama
X Vaughan Williams - Antiphon (Let all the world)
X Purcell - Jehova quam multi sunt
X Bainton - And I saw a new heaven
Greene - Lord, let me know mine end
X Wesley - Blessed be the God and Father
X Bruckner - Christus factus est
X Tallis - If ye love me
X Rheinberger - Abendlied
Bairstow - Blessed city, heavenly salem
X Byrd - Terra tremuit
XHadley - My beloved spake
XParry - Hear my word, ye people
XWalton - The Twelve
X Wesley - The Wilderness
X Tallis - O nata lux de lumine
Parry - I was glad when they said unto me
X Stainer - I saw the Lord
X Crotch - Lo, star led chiefs
X Warlock - Bethlehem Down
X Wood - Hail gladdening light
Battishill - O Lord look down from heaven
Harris - Faire is the heaven
Tavener - Dum transisset Sabbatum
Spotify playlist pls!!
This is a delightful and heartfelt piece on a wonderful topic. I am always encouraged when I hear of MPs with real artistic and musical interest, particularly on a topic as important as this.
A few of my favourites are William Harris’ “Bring us O Lord God” or his classic “Faire is the Heaven”. I also find some of Orlando Gibbons’ work wonderful - either his more joyful “O clap your hands” (which pairs nicely with Vaughn Williams’ piece of the same name) or his “Drop, Drop Slow Tears” which is possibly one of the most beautiful works of Choral music ever written.
While on the topic it is worth noting the value of singing to communities - local choirs being people together and have a long and rich tradition. It is a great boost to health and well-being and has been delightful for me as a university student to break out of the student bubble into the wider community!
Drop, drop is fantastic - thanks
The Harris is great - thank you
Thank you for the tips!
Lovely post. Do you know the choral music of Herbert Howells? Very distinctive and quite beautiful. His unaccompanied Requiem is gorgeous, as is the piece he wrote following the death of JFK: Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing.
And the English Renaissance composer Robert Parsons (1535-1572) wrote a celebrated Ave Maria with the most wonderful extended Amen I can think of.
Howells’ carols are exquisite.
Parson’s Ave Maria is magical- I first sang it as a teenager in my parish church choir 60 years ago. Howell’s “ Spotless Rose” carol reduces me to tears every Christmas and so on and on: I thank my stars that I was introduced to this wonderful world of music and have been able to sing it and hear it all these years. Another gift of Christianity.
I will listen - thank you!