St.Albans: day 7

Sunday

I leave my B&B at 9.45 although the Eucharist isn't till 11.15 and the short practice at 10.45. Parking at the school is apparently free today, because there is no one about. To my surprise it is busy in town, for all the shops are open on a Sunday, and moreover it is market day today which surprises me even more. The town is crowded with people. Who would want to go shopping or go into town on a beautiful summer day, the last one for some time to come according to the forecast?

I am not fond of the Sunday Eucharist in any cathedral. It is rather nerve wrecking. The procedures are always totally different from the weekday Evensongs, the order of service is different, and again varies in each cathedral, we never know the choreography well and usually feel lost. I feel like an actor in a drama of which I haven't been given de script. One stroke of luck is that the two grumpy vergers are now replaced by a young and smiling one, quite a nice chap. And to our relief the service is not in the nave, but in the choir so that we know at least where to sit and don't have to sit in the exposed choir pews in the nave. It is a high church service, with many gold embroidered vestments, incense and bells, and priests consecrating bread and wine with their backs to the congregation. Smells and bells, not my cup of tea. We sing the Lloyd Webber Mass, which I think is beautiful, and the Ave Maria by Elgar because the church celebrates the Ascension of Maria.

Mass setting: WS Lloyd Webber – The Prince of Peace (omitting Kyrie & Credo)

Motet: Ave Maria - Elgar

Gradual psalm 45 verses 10-14

Hymns: CP 239 (tune Farley Castle) & CP 231 (tune Daily, Daily from NEH)

After the Eucharist we have our usual official choir portrait taken outside against the backdrop of the cathedral.

This is followed by a long lunch break, which is wonderful. With a few friends we have lunch in a beautiful and secluded garden of a Thai restaurant, which doesn't look promising at all from the outside but is actually very good. There is even enough time to do some necessary errands after the leisurely lunch, such as finding an "Hole in the Wall", an ATM, and take some more pictures. Then another practice and again time to relax, for some to buy an ice cream from the van which is parked daily on the hill in front of the cathedral, for others to indulge in serious conversation. Evensong on Sunday does not begin till 18.30, very late indeed. Each day before Evensong we are given tea and coffee in the Abbot's Kitchen, the restaurant in the newly built Chapter House which also houses the library and the Song School.

Preces & Responses: Sumsion

Psalm: 132

Canticles: Noble in B minor

Anthem: Ave Maria - Parsons

Hymns: CP 244 (1^st tune Mon Dieu) & CP 238 (tune St. Botolph)

Here is a superb rendering of the Ave Maria by the choir of King's College Cambridge

The Ave Maria by Parsons is absolutely beautiful. We have only two altos on each side and the voices are divided, so we almost sing a solo. It is one of those pieces which require counting, and not losing one's concentration even for a second. But I know this piece well and love it, so we go out , not with a bang, but with a glorious, well-sung composition.

Monument in the parking lot of the cathedral school

Evensong is also fragrant with incense, which some asthmatic singers don't appreciate and even dread. It is a sad moment, as it is our last Evensong and after this we go our separate ways. We can all do with a rest, at least our voices can, but nevertheless we will miss this singing.

After the Evensong there are the usual official farewells and presents for the choirmaster, the two organists and others. Then it is good bye, hugs and kisses and on to next summer, Southwell in 2013. But first drinks, and then for me a meal at the small house rented by two of the singers. It is very late when I arrive at my B&B. Next time I come into this cathedral, it will be as a tourist and I won't have the privilege of belonging here, of being part of the life of the cathedral.

As evening sets over St. Albans we have to take our leave