Left Romsey by train for Cambridge. Was hectic with the underground changes in London, but made it to Cambridge in pouring rain. I stayed put, read, and walked to Kings College Cambridge for the evensong at 5:30 PM then went home. It was a wonderful choral service with full choir. Don't read on unless you want to know about the service and my experience with it. A great Turkish supper, inexpensive and bed!
We lined up and went in for 5:30 PM. The choir is one of the best choral sounds around, depending upon whether you like the sound of boys and men. The sound is unrivalled, especially in the amazing acoustical space of the chapel.
When music moves you to tears, as it did me, and you are filled with awe at the beauty of the sound, you are close to God. The entire service was amazing. Before the service was exquisite playing of Bach's Goldberg Variations on a lovely piano. There was no organ accompaniment the entire service, and I don't even know if there is an organ in the chapel.Stephen Cleobury was the conductor. This is what heavenly music can do. The anthem was Brahms requiem...a portion thereof, which was totally awesome. I have sung it in Edmonton, and love it. The music soars!The end of the service was a glorious rendition of a Chopin nocturne ....an evening piece. Beautiful music! It was worth it to come to Cambridge just to hear this magnificent world class choir with a world class reputation. If interested why not google them and listen to the sound on a You tube video?? My background is Anglican, choir boy, choir director/organist for most of my life, so this was a pilgrimage. Our family also listen to the Nine LESSONS and Carols at Christmas every year. Both the boys and men are choral scholars, and live and work with the art of choral singing on a daily basis, so skill levels and technical expertise are top drawer. If you ever go to Cambridge, don't miss these guys. The male voices blend in an amazing way: the sharp, clear very high treble voices are naturally very very high and have male power and strength, and the men are highly trained low voices of all kinds, including counter tenors ! Supremely English sound. It takes you to a mystical place of awe that overcomes the limitations of humanity. I am so fortunate. Thanks for checking in.
All the pics are of Kings College Cambridge, above the entrance
Below: the south door main entrance
Below: inner courtyard
We lined up and went in for 5:30 PM. The choir is one of the best choral sounds around, depending upon whether you like the sound of boys and men. The sound is unrivalled, especially in the amazing acoustical space of the chapel.
When music moves you to tears, as it did me, and you are filled with awe at the beauty of the sound, you are close to God. The entire service was amazing. Before the service was exquisite playing of Bach's Goldberg Variations on a lovely piano. There was no organ accompaniment the entire service, and I don't even know if there is an organ in the chapel.Stephen Cleobury was the conductor. This is what heavenly music can do. The anthem was Brahms requiem...a portion thereof, which was totally awesome. I have sung it in Edmonton, and love it. The music soars!The end of the service was a glorious rendition of a Chopin nocturne ....an evening piece. Beautiful music! It was worth it to come to Cambridge just to hear this magnificent world class choir with a world class reputation. If interested why not google them and listen to the sound on a You tube video?? My background is Anglican, choir boy, choir director/organist for most of my life, so this was a pilgrimage. Our family also listen to the Nine LESSONS and Carols at Christmas every year. Both the boys and men are choral scholars, and live and work with the art of choral singing on a daily basis, so skill levels and technical expertise are top drawer. If you ever go to Cambridge, don't miss these guys. The male voices blend in an amazing way: the sharp, clear very high treble voices are naturally very very high and have male power and strength, and the men are highly trained low voices of all kinds, including counter tenors ! Supremely English sound. It takes you to a mystical place of awe that overcomes the limitations of humanity. I am so fortunate. Thanks for checking in.
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