Concert Archive

There is perhaps nothing more peculiarly Anglican than Choral Evensong, the principal daily musical service of Anglican cathedrals worldwide. Originating in the monastic hours of Vespers and Compline, its considerable beauty lies both in the unsurpassed poetry of the order laid down by Thomas Cranmer in the Book of Common Prayer (1662) and in the glorious and hugely varied musical repertoire, which continues to evolve to this day. Sung by the choir in the late afternoon, its predominantly reflective and contemplative mood provides a precious oasis of calm in a troubled world. In British cathedrals attendance at weekday Choral Evensong has been rising steadily for a number of years, attracting many people who do not consider themselves church-goers, or even believers. There is also a service broadcast live from a different cathedral each week on B.B.C. Radio and available worldwide through the Internet: it is highly recommended.

In Hungary, the Gabrieli Choir – the only choir to specialize in the study and performance (usually in concerts) of Anglican cathedral repertoire – sings two Evensongs a year, and these offer a unique opportunity for this wonderful repertoire to be heard in the context for which most of it was originally written. The choir’s next Choral Evensong will be a service for Lent, on Saturday 1st April, 2017. It will be held at the Chapel of the Protestant College in Svábhegy (Bp., XII., Eötvös út 35.). As with all Evensongs, it is very much open to all.

 At the centre of Choral Evensong lie the canticles Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and on this occasion the Gabrieli Choir will be performing the setting composed for the Choir of Gloucester Cathedral in 1946 by Herbert Howells. Howells is one of the most significant figures in English Cathedral music. The anthem, also 20th century, will be Sir Edward Bairstow’s The Lamentation, a setting to Anglican Chant of words from the Old Testament book The Lamentations of Jeremiah. Charles Wesley’s hymn Love Divine will be performed in the arrangement by organist and composer William Lloyd Webber (father of the better known Andrew), and, in total contrast, the service will begin with the introit Peccantem me Quotidie by the 16th century Spanish composer Christóbal de Morales. The Gabrieli Choir will be conducted by its Artistic Director, Richard Sólyom; the accompanist will be László Miskei. The service starts at 5.30 and lasts a little under an hour.

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