Music and pipe organs

Sunday September 15th

Just back from Choral Evensong in a church in Bussum. A big modernised protestant church, but with good acoustics. And a modern organ case. We all enjoyed the service. The repertoire was a combination of music we sang in Southwell this August. I have not written anything about Southwell yet, as during our singing week there was hardly time for blogging, and once back home so many things happened, that I never came round to updating the blog. 

  Southwell Minster: Sculptures in the most beautiful chapter house in England

In the meantime the music of Southwell, the beauty of the cathedral and the joy of singing in such an old building has been pushed a bit into the background by organ recitals I attended in Zaltbommel and Den Bosch. 

Southwell: Left: view of the organ and screen from the choir stalls. Right: The Norman nave looking towards the choir screen 

Den Bosch a real Roman Catholic Cathedral, and Zaltbommel a beautiful old and now protestant church with a famous pipe organ.

  Den Bosch, the pipe organ

Below: the eye of God in the  the late evening sun

 Zaltbommel: pipe organ and ceiling

And there was the Evensong we sang in the BAVO in the Market Square in Haarlem, after our return from Southwell. So many impressions and so little time to write about them. Besides the weather was extraordinarily beautiful and hot, a continuation of lazy summer days, gorgeous sunsets, a long walk to see the bright purple heather, lots of reading because of a very painful neck, and then the beginning of a new season. 

Sunset at Katwijk

Regular church choir which started again, meetings of the cultural institution in my home town/village, a dinner outside enjoying a warm evening on the terrace of a restaurant – how often does that happen in Holland? – with my small writing group. And last but not least, preparing for a long trip this autumn. So perhaps again no more blogging for some time.

 One of the last days of summer and the heather in full bloom

For those who are interested, This was our music for the week in Southwell Minster:

Monday 5 August – First Eve of Transfiguration

Introit: O Nata Lux – Tallis

Preces & Responses: Michael Walsh

Psalms: 99 & 110

Canticles: Wood in E flat no 1

Anthem: O for a closer walk with God – Grayston Ives

Tuesday 6 August - Transfiguration

Introit: Holy is the true light – Harris

Preces & Responses: Gabriel Jackson

Psalm: 72 (Mann sp78 quadruple)

Canticles: Sumsion in G

Anthem: O nata Lux – Morten Lauredsen

Hymn: 494 (t 413) + descant

Wednesday 7 August

Introit: Prayer of King Henry VI – Henry Ley

Preces & Responses: Gabriel Jackson

Psalm: 37

Canticles: Harwood in A flat

Anthem: Vox Christi – Philip Wilby

Thursday 8 August - free

Friday 9 August

Introit: The Lord will come and not be slow – Christopher Tye

Preces & Responses: Smith 5 part

Psalms: 47-48-49

Canticles: Purcell in G minor

Anthem: Prayer of King Henry VI – Gabriel Jackson

Saturday 10 August

Introit: God be in my head – Nicholson Preces & Responses: Leighton

Psalms: 53-54-55

Canticles: Blair in B minor

Anthem: Ascribe unto the Lord – S. Wesley

Hymn: 225 (t.385)

Sunday 11 August, Choral Eucharist

Mass setting: Darke in F

Motet: I give to you a new commandment – Nardone (RSCM)

Hymns: 440 + descant, 297, 285(i), 383(ii) + descant, 388(i)

Sunday Evensong

Introit: Bless, O Lord, us thy servants – Harper

Preces & Responses: Leighton

Psalm: 108

Canticles: Stanford in A

Anthem: Love Divine – Howard Goodall

Hymns: 409, 333