I'm singing in this recording! In terms of charging admittance, you don't pay if you are going there to attend a service - they only charge entry for tourists. Of course, they only charge because they have to - can you imagine the costs of upkeep for such a place? Funding from other sources only covers a certain amount! I know it may seem wrong, but they have no alternative.
Yes, astrolog7000. Was there May '10, at the Friars, Aylesford, on retreat in preparation for my solemn vows in Anglican Carmel, which took place at St. George Cathedral, Jerusalem, before His Grace, Suhiel Dawanni. Did my novitiate at Aylesford, '74; long time to wait for solemn vows. Was surprised to find everything so expersive and shocked that one has to pay to see the Abby and St. Pauls. You ellected a new Prime Minister while I was there, hope he changes things. All the best.
IMHO, there are four outstanding church choirs in England (Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedra, Westminster Cathedral, King's College Chapel. There are many other excellent choirs, such as St. John's College, Ely Cathedral, and several other cathedrals that maintain high choral standards. Instead of fighting one another and belittling the ones that are not our particular favourites, let us simply enjoy the excelence offered us by this rich choice of choirs!
@trompettechamade1 , Seems some are getting away from choir and organ..I do not understand. If I want to hear a "praise band" or a concert,I will seek. How could anyone deny this being reverent and holy? Makes me sick about this move to do away with the real thing...No drum or guitar.
@march131958 I can see a praise band for youth services, or once in a while, maybe once a month, for the younger set, but I cannot see (and I hope I never hear!) the great settings of the hymns or ordinaries of the service that are meant for choir and organ done by a praise band, especially in a great setting like Westminster Abbey or, on our side of the pond, the Washington Cathedral.
I think the Abbey is so beautiful and inspiring! I love the choir and sacred music. You English are so fortunate to live in such a place, with beautiful cathedrals and abbeys, and wonderful music. Can you accept the admiration of a humble American like myself?
@astrolog7000 Yes, for all it's modern faults (and there are many) it's still the home of the finest ecclesiastical architecture in the world and probably the best church music as well. There are many fine cathedrals in Europe of course, but having travelled extensively I still think those of the U.K. are easily the finest. However I think asking visitors to pay admittance in some is not on, you don't find that anywhere else.
@TheVaughan5 Yes charging admission into any of these places is wrong. It should be voluntary, they should make people want to contribute, not put them off entering in the first place.
@ysbaddaden2003 LMAO--.... ok.. that WAS very funny. Not sure if you're in the U.K, the U.S. or elsewhere ( I'm in the U.S.), but if you really want "Te Deum", go to a typical Roman Catholic mass in the states. The music, if you can call it that, is usually supplied by a nun strumming a guitar, accompanied by another woman screaming into a microphone. The experience would convince you Purgatory does exist, and that you're in it. So this isn't quite that.... bad.
@ysbaddaden2003 Much more than just a Catholic. She's a nun, and founded her own order - The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. She's "Mother Superior Posterior" & sings mass as a sort of duet (and thereby doubling the attendance at St. Matthew's Cathedral in D.C.), with a young nun named Sister Holly Lewya. Things are looking up at the Cathedral though,after the untimely (for a nun) death of Sister Reyna Terror at age 98. She was quite mean and tutored Card. Ratzinger. Thank God I'm Anglican.
You mean 'too' fast. But seriously, I think this is about right. No harm meant to St John's, but the Abbey choir is head and shoulders above a mere Cambridge college anyway.
I would be careful about such a comment! St. John's is a stunning choir (at least under former directors--sadly I don't know the choir's work under the new director). Nevertheless, under David Hill, I heard the most spot-on and musical (live) performance ever--that is no joke!
NB: No discredit to Westminster--this is a fine performance (and I do like the tempi!).
The problem with Cambridge College choirs is that they are amateurs. The Vicars Choral at Westminster Abbey are professionals. No competition really. And my comments are always well considered thanks.
Well that is merely your opinion...and, I might add, there is no problem with *some* of the Ox-Bridge choirs. As a choir director (having directed amateur, semi-professional, and professional choirs), I know damn well that any of the aforementioned can be poor depending on how they are rehearsed (and the efficiency of rehearsals, thoughtful planning of music, etc.).
Well it is certainly my opinion, and shared by many others also. But I think you miss the point. The Abbey choir is fairly unique in that the gentlemen (Vicars Choral) are professionals and the boys attend their own Choir School (effectively a Prep school) adjoining Westminster School on the Abbey grounds. King's Cambridge I think comes closest to this arrangement, and there are of course other Choir Schools such as St Pauls, but none are quite as special as this one.
Yes the 1990s were under the care of Martin Neary, who I think was a very good Choirmaster. His job (indeed the whole effort of the Abbey choir) for Diana's funeral was quite remarkable, given the circumstances. No other Choir could have delivered such a professional performance at such short notice. Were you in the Choir in '97?
@ds1868 I would very careful when making comments such as that above. I can think of a few choirs who could have performed as well, Durham Cathedral Choir for example.
@craigdc1982 Durham Cathedral choir has done many excellent performances, experienced as an attendee of serivces and evensongs for most of the last decade.
@ds1868 If I were you I would be careful not to write such biased comments, it's quite obvious that you favour Westminster Abbey Choir over every other choral foundation but why when there are so many fantastic (and better) cathedral/ abbey choirs. I only say this because you are ridiculing yourself. We can tell by the video that the choir is very good.
With respect the Abbey choir is certainly one of the best choirs in England today. Westminster Cathedral down the road is also extremely good. My comments are not biased but are based on personal experience: they are always carefully considered thanks.
@ds1868 the Abbey choir is amazing, I would never argue that it isn't. I'm not really going to cause an argument but how can you say your comments are based on personal experience when you have not sung as a chorister in all the other Cathedral/ Abbey choirs? How could you possibly know that the Abbey choir is the only one that would have been able to perform so well under such short notice as you mention in one of your comments?
@ds1868 The Gents of St. John have given their opinion of you on your YT page. Being paid doesn't mean necessarily that you're a professional. And I speak as a paid chorister in cathedral myself. You don't have to put down the Cambridge choirs to prop up the Abbey. That attitude just shows that you are full of it.
I'm singing in this recording! In terms of charging admittance, you don't pay if you are going there to attend a service - they only charge entry for tourists. Of course, they only charge because they have to - can you imagine the costs of upkeep for such a place? Funding from other sources only covers a certain amount! I know it may seem wrong, but they have no alternative.
benjyg99 1 week ago
TUUUUUUUUUUNE
TheoAdlerMusic 1 month ago
Dear heaven and universe and those good and honorable souls that have passed before me, I beseach thee _______ __ ____ ___ ____'s __ ___ ____.
I thank you and pray for your soul's eternal rest.
MummyUKandUSA 6 months ago
Yes, astrolog7000. Was there May '10, at the Friars, Aylesford, on retreat in preparation for my solemn vows in Anglican Carmel, which took place at St. George Cathedral, Jerusalem, before His Grace, Suhiel Dawanni. Did my novitiate at Aylesford, '74; long time to wait for solemn vows. Was surprised to find everything so expersive and shocked that one has to pay to see the Abby and St. Pauls. You ellected a new Prime Minister while I was there, hope he changes things. All the best.
09WestTexas 6 months ago
IMHO, there are four outstanding church choirs in England (Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedra, Westminster Cathedral, King's College Chapel. There are many other excellent choirs, such as St. John's College, Ely Cathedral, and several other cathedrals that maintain high choral standards. Instead of fighting one another and belittling the ones that are not our particular favourites, let us simply enjoy the excelence offered us by this rich choice of choirs!
trompettechamade1 7 months ago
@trompettechamade1 , Seems some are getting away from choir and organ..I do not understand. If I want to hear a "praise band" or a concert,I will seek. How could anyone deny this being reverent and holy? Makes me sick about this move to do away with the real thing...No drum or guitar.
march131958 5 months ago
@march131958 I can see a praise band for youth services, or once in a while, maybe once a month, for the younger set, but I cannot see (and I hope I never hear!) the great settings of the hymns or ordinaries of the service that are meant for choir and organ done by a praise band, especially in a great setting like Westminster Abbey or, on our side of the pond, the Washington Cathedral.
trompettechamade1 5 months ago
@trompettechamade1 Hear Hear! St. Albans Cathedral also has an excellent reputation for music ;-)
goodchappy 1 month ago
I think the Abbey is so beautiful and inspiring! I love the choir and sacred music. You English are so fortunate to live in such a place, with beautiful cathedrals and abbeys, and wonderful music. Can you accept the admiration of a humble American like myself?
Any English friends out there?
astrolog7000 10 months ago 11
@astrolog7000 Yes, for all it's modern faults (and there are many) it's still the home of the finest ecclesiastical architecture in the world and probably the best church music as well. There are many fine cathedrals in Europe of course, but having travelled extensively I still think those of the U.K. are easily the finest. However I think asking visitors to pay admittance in some is not on, you don't find that anywhere else.
TheVaughan5 1 month ago
@TheVaughan5 Yes charging admission into any of these places is wrong. It should be voluntary, they should make people want to contribute, not put them off entering in the first place.
goodchappy 1 month ago
Who wouldn't like this?
magpie4321 1 year ago 5
I love the text. I sang John Rutter's arrangement of this in a choir, and enjoyed it immensely. This version is very good.
UrbsDei21 1 year ago
Sorry, in [a] cathedral.
choirboyfromhell1 1 year ago
Comment removed
tanguyriviere 2 years ago
Comment removed
tanguyriviere 2 years ago
Amazing !!!
saramackfly 2 years ago
Te Deum sounds descriptive of the Church service.
ysbaddaden2003 2 years ago
@ysbaddaden2003 LMAO--.... ok.. that WAS very funny. Not sure if you're in the U.K, the U.S. or elsewhere ( I'm in the U.S.), but if you really want "Te Deum", go to a typical Roman Catholic mass in the states. The music, if you can call it that, is usually supplied by a nun strumming a guitar, accompanied by another woman screaming into a microphone. The experience would convince you Purgatory does exist, and that you're in it. So this isn't quite that.... bad.
dsindc 1 year ago
@dsindc
Yoko Ono is Catholic?
ysbaddaden2003 1 year ago
@ysbaddaden2003 Much more than just a Catholic. She's a nun, and founded her own order - The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. She's "Mother Superior Posterior" & sings mass as a sort of duet (and thereby doubling the attendance at St. Matthew's Cathedral in D.C.), with a young nun named Sister Holly Lewya. Things are looking up at the Cathedral though,after the untimely (for a nun) death of Sister Reyna Terror at age 98. She was quite mean and tutored Card. Ratzinger. Thank God I'm Anglican.
dsindc 1 year ago
@dsindc I laughed till I cried at your comments!
OrganNLou 1 year ago
@OrganNLou Why thank you. Religion like most things should be taken with a healthy dose of humor.
dsindc 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
to fast! st john's college choir cambridge version is (my opinion) better.
donhenri01 2 years ago
You mean 'too' fast. But seriously, I think this is about right. No harm meant to St John's, but the Abbey choir is head and shoulders above a mere Cambridge college anyway.
ds1868 2 years ago
I would be careful about such a comment! St. John's is a stunning choir (at least under former directors--sadly I don't know the choir's work under the new director). Nevertheless, under David Hill, I heard the most spot-on and musical (live) performance ever--that is no joke!
NB: No discredit to Westminster--this is a fine performance (and I do like the tempi!).
orgelspielerkmd 2 years ago 2
The problem with Cambridge College choirs is that they are amateurs. The Vicars Choral at Westminster Abbey are professionals. No competition really. And my comments are always well considered thanks.
ds1868 2 years ago
Well that is merely your opinion...and, I might add, there is no problem with *some* of the Ox-Bridge choirs. As a choir director (having directed amateur, semi-professional, and professional choirs), I know damn well that any of the aforementioned can be poor depending on how they are rehearsed (and the efficiency of rehearsals, thoughtful planning of music, etc.).
orgelspielerkmd 2 years ago 2
Well it is certainly my opinion, and shared by many others also. But I think you miss the point. The Abbey choir is fairly unique in that the gentlemen (Vicars Choral) are professionals and the boys attend their own Choir School (effectively a Prep school) adjoining Westminster School on the Abbey grounds. King's Cambridge I think comes closest to this arrangement, and there are of course other Choir Schools such as St Pauls, but none are quite as special as this one.
ds1868 2 years ago
i agree, having left being a chorister at the abbey in the last decade
1484me 2 years ago
Yes the 1990s were under the care of Martin Neary, who I think was a very good Choirmaster. His job (indeed the whole effort of the Abbey choir) for Diana's funeral was quite remarkable, given the circumstances. No other Choir could have delivered such a professional performance at such short notice. Were you in the Choir in '97?
ds1868 2 years ago
@ds1868 I would very careful when making comments such as that above. I can think of a few choirs who could have performed as well, Durham Cathedral Choir for example.
craigdc1982 1 year ago
@craigdc1982 Durham Cathedral choir has done many excellent performances, experienced as an attendee of serivces and evensongs for most of the last decade.
megiddo666 1 year ago
@ds1868 If I were you I would be careful not to write such biased comments, it's quite obvious that you favour Westminster Abbey Choir over every other choral foundation but why when there are so many fantastic (and better) cathedral/ abbey choirs. I only say this because you are ridiculing yourself. We can tell by the video that the choir is very good.
aheura 2 years ago
With respect the Abbey choir is certainly one of the best choirs in England today. Westminster Cathedral down the road is also extremely good. My comments are not biased but are based on personal experience: they are always carefully considered thanks.
ds1868 2 years ago
@ds1868 the Abbey choir is amazing, I would never argue that it isn't. I'm not really going to cause an argument but how can you say your comments are based on personal experience when you have not sung as a chorister in all the other Cathedral/ Abbey choirs? How could you possibly know that the Abbey choir is the only one that would have been able to perform so well under such short notice as you mention in one of your comments?
aheura 2 years ago
Comment removed
choirboyfromhell1 1 year ago
@ds1868 The Gents of St. John have given their opinion of you on your YT page. Being paid doesn't mean necessarily that you're a professional. And I speak as a paid chorister in cathedral myself. You don't have to put down the Cambridge choirs to prop up the Abbey. That attitude just shows that you are full of it.
choirboyfromhell1 1 year ago
Prachtige kerkmuziek, feitelijk gebaseerd op middeleeuse Rooms Katholieke kerkgezangen. Dit is gewoon een Engelse bewerking van het Te Deum Laudamus.
AndreasAntoniusMaria 3 years ago