God Is Gone Up (Gerald Finzi) - Wells Cathedral

[@stephenfarthing1522]

And more! I am hearing it again on the bus to Wells Cathedral again! With the intention of tackling it at St Mary Redcliffe. On the 9th of this month!

[@hudsonbailey674]

The Uk has some of the richest collection of music in the world. Its cathedrals, colleges and oratories are integral to that gift.

[@stephenfarthing1522]

Thank goodness my good friends at Wells Cathedral have done this one and I can have a initial look at it! Or ear to it! At least! 😊

[@MrBoywonder1985]

Marvellous piece!

[@millercgr]

The score has a tempo of quarter note = ca. 138, which is quite fast. This isn't nearly that quick - thankfully. Beautiful piece.

[@geraldinefranklin9894]

Ethereal

[@h54h52]

Have just recently 'discovered' Gerald Finzi, a very complex sensitive soulful man, but I have to wonder (aloud!) what one earth is the attraction of choral music? Is it the blend of voices, the range of voices, the purity of voice... What is it?! I am much more moved by either plain old congregational singing or orchestral pieces..

[@tjmannion1]

The English Choral tradition is long and deep. I don't understand why you don't like it. The general population of Episcopalians, for example, as much as they claim to like four part harmony for congregational singing, prefer to pay their choirs to sing for them rather than to do it themselves. Hence, the great choral traditions of the great abbeys and cathedrals throughout history. If you come from a more congregational singing tradition yourself that's awesome, but please don't rain on our parade!

[@h54h52]

@@tjmannion1 My question was a 'wondering out loud' one. Actually your comment helped me clarify why I don't much enjoy it. You said, "The general population of Episcopalians, for example, as much as they claim to like four part harmony for congregational singing, prefer to pay their choirs to sing for them rather than to do it themselves." As a practising Christian I believe singing is a communal act of worship., not a a separate .specialised activity.