The Rodolfus Foundation’s Virtual Choral Evensong was conceived by our Artistic Director, Ralph Allwood as a service of thanksgiving and unity in a time of crisis during the first lockdown. Follow our journey from our first glimpse video to the final production.
Our “first glimpse” video! Tomás Luis de Victoria's Nunc dimittis sung by some of our earliest submissions.
The First Lesson is read by Stephen Fry, who has chosen the wonderful story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel. Here’s a teaser of his excellent reading:
The Parry family sent in their version of ‘Dyson in D’ - hand sanitiser and extra special friends at the front row!
The anthem with the most votes was Parry’s I Was Glad. Here’s the guide video with a selection of Rodolfus Choir members singing.
‘If Ye Love me by Thomas Tallis was published in 1565. The words, from St John’s Gospel, have a simple, gentle message of love. English music up to about this time was complex, long, grand and in Latin. Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth there were strict rules of simplicity. Tallis, who served under four monarchs, seems to have been delightfully acquiescent, and simply did as he was told, but with such remarkable skill. This is why each voice has one note for each syllable and they sing chords rather than counterpoint most of the time. Tallis can’t resist a bit of his old counterpoint halfway through.’
Have a listen to an octet of Rodolfus Choir members (Hilary Cronin, Daisy Walford, Rebecca Leggett, Garreth Romain, Matthew Norriss, Ben Vonberg-Clark, Harry Guthrie and Michael Lafferty) expertly singing this beautiful piece.
The Magnificat is Dyson’s Evening Service in D, and is accompanied by Andrew Lumsden, Organist and Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral.
The opening voluntary is played by James Lancelot, Canon Organist Emeritus at Durham Cathedral. Listen to him playing on his pipe organ.
Here’s some history about the hymn, from Ralph:
‘The original words of All my Hope, “Meine Hoffnung stehet feste” were written around 1680 by Joachim Neander. In 1899 these were translated into English by Robert Bridges for his church choir in Yattendon and subsequently the Yattendon Hymnal. In 1930, Dr Thomas Fielden, Director of Music at Charterhouse, sent Bridges' text to his friend Herbert Howells, requesting Howells compose a new tune. Howells received the request by post one morning, in the middle of breakfast. Almost immediately a tune suggested itself to him and the hymn was apparently composed on the spot (in the composer's words) “while I was chewing bacon and sausage.” Fielden was one of the editors of The Clarendon Hymn Book, and when it was published in 1936 he chose to include the hymn. Howells’ son Michael had died in childhood the previous year, so Howells rechristened the tune Michael.
Herbert Howells had already written a descant for his hymn, but when he heard this one by John Rutter he told people to use this, as he considered it far better than his own. Such delightful modesty.’
The Second Lesson is read by Sir Simon Russell Beale, who chose the King James Version of 1 Corinthians: 13. Listen to an extract of this beautiful reading:
A little bit from Ralph about our final voluntary, Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St Anne” Prelude…
‘I think of JS Bach as the greatest genius of all people (that I know of, anyway!) More of his music puts across the great message that all is going to be all right in the end, that all is well really, than any other composer. The Final Voluntary is the JS Bach: St Anne Prelude. However sad the occasion for which this is played (and it is often chosen for funerals and memorials) it never fails to give me instant inner strength and put a smile on my face.’
Participants…
James Lancelot playing the first voluntary.
The introit, If ye love me by Thomas Tallis, is sung by an octet of Rodolfus Choir members.
The service is introduced by The Rev’d Richard Coles, who has also kindly contributed the blessing.
Smith Preces & Responses. Cantor, Rebecca Leggett.
Psalms introduced by The Rev’d Tim Harling.
Stephen Fry reading the First lesson, David and Goliath.
Dyson in D accompanied by Andrew Lumsden on Winchester Cathedral organ.
Second lesson read by Sir Simon Russell Beale, 1 Corinthians: 13.
Tomás Luis de Victoria’s Nunc Dimittis. Cantor, Ben Vonberg-Clark.
The creed is led by The Rev’d Patricia Mann.
Over 450 people voted on the anthem, and the winning piece was I Was Glad by C. H. H. Parry! We’re delighted to have members of VOCES8 singing the semi-chorus, and Alexander Armstrong introducing the piece.
The prayers, introduced and collated by The Rev’d Niall Weir, are led by representatives of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish Faith Communities - Renasha Khan, Rochelle Rose and Emil Boland.
The Hymn, All my hope on God is founded, is accompanied first by David Goode in Eton College Chapel, and by Oliver Walker at Repton College Chapel for the last verse.
The closing voluntary is played by Mark Shepherd from Charterhouse School Chapel.
Cosmo Sheldrake has kindly given his Evening Chorus (Live in the Bluebells) video to end the broadcast.
We’ve counted over 250 singers, and about 970 submissions! So far, we’ve found the ages range from 10 to 82, and come from 20 countries around the world! We are particularly grateful to members of Old Royal Naval College Chapel Choir, Greenwich and Queens’ College Chapel Choir, Cambridge where Ralph is Director of Music.
The order of service is available to download now via the buttons below. The digital version contains clickable links and information.
We are also working in partnership with Friends of Cathedral Music and the Ouseley Church Music Trust who have launched the Cathedral Choirs’ Emergency Fund. Their aim is to raise £1 million to offer grants to church choirs everywhere who may not otherwise survive.
Follow the link below if you wish to donate to the fund.
Produced in association with Friends of Cathedral Music, and ChoralEvensong.org.
Find out more about the Rodolfus Foundation; support us by becoming a Friend; or make a donation now.
Have any questions? Get in touch here.
Musical director - Ralph Allwood
Producer and Audio editor - Alexander James, Tonmeister
Video editor - Matthew Norriss, Piraxa Studios