It is difficult to convey to people the excitement, as a tenor, of singing the few bars preceding the glorious amen crescendo when you know what is coming up.
At 67, until 2 years ago, I had spent my life singing in choir in smaller suburban churches. 2 years ago I moved to RVA and "stumbled" in to an Episcopal church in the city with no idea what to expect. Joining that church culminated in the singing this piece among others at Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester UK, this past August. It was the thrill of a lifetime never anticipated.
Does anyone recognize quotations from Brahms "Geistliches Lied"? the ending "Amen" cadence is quite similar - beautiful work and well done to the choir!
We're performing this at an Evensong in early June, so I thought I'd give it a listen. Does anyone else get shades of Franckian chromaticism in this, especially in the organ interludes. It never really occurred to me before, but those harmonies sound reminiscent of the great Belgian composer and organist.
Basically the other three parts are only there to provide the upperworks against that glorious "pedal solo" for the basses in the first verse. Apologies to the choirmaster who took us to Gloucester Cathedral back in 2003 if I seemed to take too much advantage but anyone would surely appreciate that I had no reasonable alternative. :)
@@eoghdes18 Good point. I stand corrected. Gardiner composed this in 1908 and Rachmaninoff's Bogoroditse devo was first performed in 1915. The resemblance is there nonetheless.
A truly prophetic piece. Just complex enough to be enigmatic, and lucid enough - on every level - to communicate to generations!
One of the very greatest of pieces of music ever written. Catholics may not encounter this!
It is difficult to convey to people the excitement, as a tenor, of singing the few bars preceding the glorious amen crescendo when you know what is coming up.
@grahamturner7146
Same, brother!
Exactly, the mysterious Wagnerian suspended cadence! Implying that God is God, but Faith is Faith!
Never heard this before, but love it. Glorious tenor line.
Such a wonderful, stirring piece. Moments like 1.28 and 5.03 are when I'm glad I sing first bass :-)
A parish choir classic. Fantastic anthem.
Thank you!
At 67, until 2 years ago, I had spent my life singing in choir in smaller suburban churches. 2 years ago I moved to RVA and "stumbled" in to an Episcopal church in the city with no idea what to expect. Joining that church culminated in the singing this piece among others at Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester UK, this past August. It was the thrill of a lifetime never anticipated.
Good for you. It goes with those English organ rich and subtle colours.
As I expected. Proper.
Interesting piece.
Wow... unexpected, but much appreciated!
I'm in heaven and haven't even turned out the light for the night ;-)
Does anyone recognize quotations from Brahms "Geistliches Lied"? the ending "Amen" cadence is quite similar - beautiful work and well done to the choir!
We're performing this at an Evensong in early June, so I thought I'd give it a listen. Does anyone else get shades of Franckian chromaticism in this, especially in the organ interludes. It never really occurred to me before, but those harmonies sound reminiscent of the great Belgian composer and organist.
Probably goes back to Wagner. Unsure how expose Balfour Gardiner would have been to Franck as such. Unless he visited Ste Clotilde. . .
Basically the other three parts are only there to provide the upperworks against that glorious "pedal solo" for the basses in the first verse. Apologies to the choirmaster who took us to Gloucester Cathedral back in 2003 if I seemed to take too much advantage but anyone would surely appreciate that I had no reasonable alternative. :)
Never tired of hearing this, truly one of the musts Thank you for the upload
Lovely piece. Love the chromaticism especially in the organ solo sections.
He did it! What a bro! :D Thanks very much!
One of the greats.
My favorite hymn for vespers.
probably an inspiration from Bogoroditse devo from Rachmaninoff at 4:54
I didn't know Balfour Gardiner was a time traveller!
@@eoghdes18 Good point. I stand corrected. Gardiner composed this in 1908 and Rachmaninoff's Bogoroditse devo was first performed in 1915. The resemblance is there nonetheless.
@@LucioEiji 1908 - five years before the Old World was destroyed with Sacre and the First World War the year after -
Was in my repertoire most years. Just a fav.